In his keynote speech during the 2017 BIO Convention in San Diego, former prime minister David Cameron has discussed the future of medicines regulation in Europe after the UK leaves the EU, reports the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA).
Brexit medicines
Cameron revealed that he would think about his decision to call the in/out referendum on the EU every day until he dies but he was positive that EU nationals within the UK will have their rights guaranteed. “Don’t worry about EU nationals working in your business, their rights will be guaranteed,” he said. “Don’t worry about accessing talent from the EU, some form of online work permit will be available. Spend your time on the exact nature of the trading relationship between the UK and EU.”
When discussing the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Cameron suggested that there may be difficult times ahead if Britain tries to remain within the folds of the agency. However, he suggested an equivalence deal could be struck between the EMA and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). “If Britain was a small country that could be pushed around I’d be worried — but we are the sixth largest economy and have the ability to negotiate a fair outcome,” he emphasized.
“David Cameron asked the sector to focus on getting the trading relationship between the UK and the EU right in the Brexit negotiations. This is exactly what the BIA is doing,” confirmed BIA CEO, Steve Bates. “Helpfully he posited several Brexit scenarios as possibilities — including some soft Brexit scenarios such as a sector specific deal for biotech and pharma.
“It was great to see him championing the UK sector and our charity of the year Alzheimer’s Research UK,” he added.