The CHM's responsibilities include advising the UK government ministers on matters relating to regulation of human medicinal products, giving advice in relation to the safety, quality and efficacy of human medicinal products, and promoting the collection and investigation of information relating to adverse reactions for human medicines.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency undertook a public consultation on proposals to amend the advisory body structure laid down in the Medicines Act 1968 in February 2005.
The work done by the CHM is parcelled out to Expert Advisory Groups (EAGs), which in effect constitute a subcommittee structure.
The EAG chairs and members are also required to follow the NHS Code of Practice.
Three statutory EAGs[citation needed] - namely Pharmacovigilance; Chemistry, Pharmacy and Standards; and Biologicals/Vaccines - are appointed by the NHS Appointments Commission because they are also standing members of the commission.