Amid Brexit broadsides, UK and EU pharma call for calm

Seven major trade federations representing the pharmaceutical industry in the UK and in Europe have written to Brexit negotiators on both sides of the table urging cooperation on medicines.

The letter comes after UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and lead EU negotiator Michel Barnier engaged in a colorful public war of words in the initial stages of talks.

While the British politician said the EU would have to “go whistle” for a large financial settlement, Mr Barnier retorted he heard, not whistling, “just the clock ticking.”