United Kingdom wants to remain a member of EMA

Recommendation

7/8 May 2024

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It's official: the United Kingdom (UK) wants to remain in the EMA. As we previously reported in March this year, the UK wants to remain a member of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) after its withdrawal from the European Union (the so-called Brexit). This has been outlined in a government white paper by prime minister May. The document is called "The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union". It describes the desired relations between the UK and the remaining EU member states after the Brexit. The primary goal is to take charge of the UK's own laws, borders and finances. Economically however, a close cooperation is pursued.

UK wants to become or rather remain an "active participant" in the EMA. What does that mean exactly? Even though they are aware that they will have no participation rights, the UK wants to gain the necessary access through financial support. That means free movement of medicinal products. They also want to further play an important role as "leading authority" in the course of assessment and authorisation.

It remains to be seen how negotiation partners from the EU will react to this document. Back in March, this has been seen as "cherry picking".