Postponement of resolution on EMA relocation lamented by EFPIA

As talks begin in earnest on the UK’s departure from the European Union, the trade group European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) expresses its concern that the Heads of State on Thursday decided to postpone a resolution on the relocation of the European Medicines Agency until November this year.

It acknowledges the extensive range of issues that must be addressed during the Brexit negotiations over the next one-and-a-half years. Nevertheless, the research based pharmaceutical industry underscores that medicines constitute a special case in term of securing swift agreement on both sides, given the fact that they affect directly the health and wellbeing of citizens in both Europe and the UK.

For over two decades, EU member States have benefitted from and relied upon the critical work undertaken by the EMA. The agency continues to be a world-class regulator, whose scientific recommendations, new medicines approvals, pharmacovigilance and safety monitoring activities are vital elements of the ongoing effort to provide EU citizens with effective, safe and high-quality medicines.