UK-EU Future Relationship

­­­The ABPI is working to ensure that the UK has the best relationship with the EU for patients, public health and the life sciences sector.

Both sides have agreed to explore medicines cooperation in the Political Declaration. This ambition remains both in the UK Government’s negotiating objectives and in the EU Commission’s negotiating mandate.

We believe this should be a priority and are optimistic that both sides will be pragmatic about the need to work together on some essential aspects of medicines regulation.

Asks
What do we think the future EU-UK relationship should look like?

We also share the Government’s ambition of making the UK a leading global hub for life sciences and an internationally competitive trading partner with the EU and the world. For us, securing our reputation as an attractive destination for global investment is key, but as an industry, our priority is a future trading relationship with the EU based on cooperation.

What has the UK Government outlined?

The Government has set out a vision for a future relationship where both sides can work together in the interest of patient safety, public health, and the pursuit of scientific progress for UK and EU citizens. Its priorities for the UK-EU relationship, published in February 2020, include:

  • A Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on batch testing and GMP.
  • Commitment on Good Regulatory Practice and Regulatory Cooperation.
  • Commitment to cooperate on pharmacovigilance.
  • Explore participation in Horizon programme.
  • No tariffs, fees, charges and quantitative restrictions on trade in manufactured and agricultural goods between the UK and the EU.

We have responded to these priorities here.

EFPIA Brexit Taskforce

Given the integrated nature of research, regulation and supply of medicines across Europe, the ABPI is working closely with the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), who have established a Brexit Taskforce.

Key documents

 

Developing medicines