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28 June 2016Big Pharma

Big pharma companies react to ‘Brexit’

Following the result of the UK’s referendum on membership of the EU, pharmaceutical companies have yet to find out how this will affect their businesses.

LSIPR contacted multiple big pharma companies to hear how they predict ‘Brexit’ will affect them, and while most companies refused to comment, some stated that the UK is at the very beginning of the Brexit process and therefore it is difficult to predict the outcome.

For example, Merck stated: “We will closely follow the EU exit process and upcoming negotiations to establish the future arrangements between the UK and EU. We wish to work with all those involved in this process in order to minimise the impact on patients, Merck and the wider pharmaceutical sector.”

Sanofi stated that its opinion is in alignment with the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), which states: “EFPIA underscores the importance of ensuring that the patient is at the centre of all subsequent decisions.

“The EFPIA shares the common goal of ensuring rapid access to innovative medicines for patients across Europe, as well as developing a regulatory and policy environment that fosters innovation and supports the research and development of new medicines to meet the need of patients, healthcare systems and society.”

While Merck, Sanofi and EFPIA are waiting for further developments on Brexit, GSK does not currently expect a material adverse impact on the business.

“We will continue to operate as usual and will engage in the process ahead,” GSK said, affirming, like other big pharma companies, that it prioritises continuing to ensure patient access to its medicines, vaccines and consumer products across the world.

In an additional statement from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), the organisation stated: “This creates immediate challenges for future investment, research and jobs in our industry in the UK.”

Although there may be challenges ahead, the organisation will, like the pharmaceutical companies, need to adapt.

ABPI added that it is “committed to working closely with the government to agree what steps need to be taken to send a strong signal that the UK is open for business”.


More on this story

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29 November 2017   The EU and UK must make progress in Brexit negotiations “as soon as possible”, according to the associations that represent the European and British life sciences industry.

More on this story

Big Pharma
29 November 2017   The EU and UK must make progress in Brexit negotiations “as soon as possible”, according to the associations that represent the European and British life sciences industry.