Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill

In 2015, the Academy monitored the passage of the Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill tabled by Chris Heaton-Harris MP. Its aim was to build upon the provisions in Lord Saatchi’s Medical Innovation Bill, which the Academy responded to in 2014.

The Bill aimed to:

1) To encourage doctors to pursue innovative treatments without fear of litigation

2) To establish a database of innovative medical treatments for doctors

Supported by the Academy and many other organisations from across the medical research sector, the Association of Medical Research Charities prepared a briefing to support debate on this issue and encourage MPs to oppose the Bill.

The Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Act became law in March 2016.