UK demands EU's co-operation over drug regulation post-Brexit
UK MINISTERS have said that the UK and the European Union (EU) should continue to work together over drug regulation once Brexit has been completed.
European Medicines Agency could move from London post-Brexit
The move comes amid the brewing row amongst the remaining EU countries, which could turn into something of an undignified scrap in an attempt to host the European agencies currently located in the UK, which includes the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt and Greg Clark, the business secretary, have written to the Financial Times outlining how Britain and the EU could co-operate once it has left the bloc.
The letter said the government's priority was to protect patient safety, maintain Britain's role as a centre for research and promote public health globally.
Jeremy Hunt and Greg Clark have written to a national newspaper
The ministers said there were numerous examples of where co-operation had been beneficial, including the licensing of 130 products for rare diseases.
The pair said: “We will look to continue to work closely with the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
"Our overall aim is to ensure that patients in the UK and across the EU continue to be able to access the best and most innovative medicines."
It is understood from Government insiders the letter was signed off by Downing Street.
The situation of the EMA post-Brexit has been a highly contentious issue, with the EU aiming to move the body out of London to a country within the group.
However leaders from the pharmaceutical industry have been hoping to limit disruption and arguing for a partnership deal and possibly keeping the EMA still in London.
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt
We will look to continue to work closely with the European Medicines Agency
Britain also wants to keep the EMA within the UK as investment in life sciences generates more than £60bn a year for the economy and supports around 220,000 jobs.
EMA executive director Guido Rasi said in April this kind of arrangement was theoretically possible but it would be up to EU governments to decide whether to offer such a deal, since Britain will be outside the single market.
The EMA, which is based in Canary Wharf, undertakes the safety of all medicines produced in the EU.
Business secretary Greg Clark
Under the current system, a drug being developed first goes through an assessment phase conducted by the agency before the European Commission in Brussels decides whether or not to licence the medicine to be used across the bloc.
Philip Thomson, president of global affairs at GlaxoSmithKline, said the “clear intention to prioritise patient safety and provide stability for the life science industry through the Brexit process is very welcome”.
Shire chief executive Flemming Ornskov said on Monday that the future of the EMA was his principal Brexit concern.
The EMA's offices in London
He said: ”What is going to happen with the European Medicines Agency? I have 20 projects in late-stage clinical development, so clarity is important.”
Mike Thompson, chief executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, said the ministers' letter was "a welcome recognition that the future of medicines regulation is a key priority for the government".