EMA’s procedures and work streams will continue as usual following UK Referendum

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has emphasised that its procedures and work streams are not affected by the outcome of the UK referendum on whether to leave or remain in the European Union.

The Agency will continue its operations as usual, in accordance with the timelines set by its rules and regulations, it said, after the UK voted to leave on 23 June.

'No Member State has ever decided to leave the EU, so there is no precedent for this situation,' the Agency said.

'The implications for the seat and operations of EMA depend on the future relationship between the UK and the EU. This is unknown at present and therefore we will not engage in any speculations.'

EMA said it welcomed the interest expressed by some Member States to host the Agency in future, but stressed that this decision is not the organisation's, but will be decided by common agreement among the representatives of the Member States.

'We are confident that the Member States will take the most appropriate decision on EMA's location and arrangements in due course, taking also into account the complex political and legal environment generated by the outcome of the UK referendum,' the Agency said.

The Agency said the European Regulatory Network as a whole is a very strong and flexible system that is able to adapt to changes without jeopardising the quality and effectiveness of its work.

The EMA said it is in close contact with the EU institutions and as soon as concrete information becomes available, it will share it with its stakeholders.

For the time being, the Agency said the organisation, its 890 employees and all of the European experts contributing to EMA’s work, will continue to focus on its mission to protect human and animal health and ensure access to medicines that are safe, effective and of good quality.