MEPs back plans for EMA relocation to Amsterdam but set conditions

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on Thursday voted in favor of enacting the law for the European Medicines Agency’s relocation from London to Amsterdam, Netherlands, due to Brexit,

However, they criticised the fact that "such an important decision" was taken by drawing lots. Italy, which just missed out in the ballot, has launched a legal bid to overturn the choice of Amsterdam after it emerged the Dutch facility would not be ready on time.

MEPs nonetheless pressed the EU Commission and the Dutch authorities to deliver the new facilities on time, so as to ensure a smooth transition for the Agency and let it move to its temporary location no later than January 1, 2019 and to its new permanent headquarters no later than November 16,  2019. This means that the EMA will initially relocate to temporary accommodation.