UK's Brexit hopes include continued affiliation with EMA

UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s “Road to Brexit” speech today in London held some supportive statements for the pharmaceutical industry and its future collaboration with European Union regulatory agencies when Britain leaves the EU in March next year.

This includes remaining part of the European Medicines Agency which since its inception has been hosted by London, but will now be moving to Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Mrs May said she will explore with the EU terms for achieving this. “We would, of course, accept that this would mean abiding by the rules of those agencies and making an appropriate financial contribution,” she said.

“Membership of the European Medicines Agency would mean investment in new innovative medicines continuing in the UK, and it would mean these medicines getting to patients faster as firms prioritise larger markets when they start the lengthy process of seeking authorisations. But it would also be good for the EU because the UK regulator assesses more new medicines than any other member state. And the EU would continue to access the expertise of the UK’s world-leading universities,” Mrs May explained.