BRIEF—European pharma industry draws attention to scale of Brexit challenge

Europe’s umbrella group for pharma trade bodies, EFPIA, says a new survey underlines “the sheer scale and importance of the medicines issues that must be addressed” as part of Brexit discussions.

The survey draws attention to the UK’s role in integrated supply chains, noting that over 2,600 final products have some stage of manufacture based in the UK.

It also reveals that 45% of EFPIA members expect trade delays if the UK and Europe fell back to World Trade Organization rules, a so-called hard Brexit.

Ongoing and at times fractious negotiations between the UK and EU are widely thought to be behind schedule, with the UK due to leave the trading bloc by early 2019.

Pointing to the ongoing scientific collaborations in place, EFPIA notes there are over 1,500 clinical trials being conducted in multiple EU member states that have a UK based sponsor. Over 50% of these are scheduled to continue beyond the current Brexit date.