Brexit brinksmanship on medicines ‘risks lives,’ MEPs warn

Brexit brinksmanship on medicines ‘risks lives,’ MEPs warn

September 25, 2020, Politico

Maree Gallagher and Marie Doyle-Rossi are quoted in Politico regarding Brexit’s impact on the U.K. and Irish pharmaceutical industry.

Ms. Gallagher explains that as things currently stand, on January 1, the MHRA will be responsible for regulating medicines in Northern Ireland. However, medicines moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland (or indeed, from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland), need to comply with EU drug rules. And if a medicine is approved by the EU, this approval will also apply to Northern Ireland. She says, “Our interpretation is that all medicines placed on the market in Northern Ireland will be required to comply with EU medicines law and any additional U.K. requirements that might apply.”

Ms. Doyle-Rossi says, “In practice, we understand that companies are stockpiling six months or more product for the Northern Ireland market.” But there isn't enough warehouse space, which “may mean companies cannot stockpile as much product as they intended,” she adds.