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UK Parliament

Secretary of State questioned on impact of Brexit for patients

23 January 2018

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The Health Committee hears from the Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, on the impact of Brexit on medicines, medical devices and substances of human origin.

Witnesses

Tuesday 23 January 2018, in the Wilson Room, Portcullis House

At 2.30pm

  • Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
  • Lord O'Shaugnessy, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health
  • Dr Ian Hudson, Chief Executive, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

Purpose of the session

The Committee examines what analysis the Secretary of State has made of the risks that Brexit poses for the life sciences industry and for patients, and what preparations he has put in place to minimise these risks and build on any opportunities which Brexit presents for the sector. More specifically, the session aims to:

  • Scrutinise the contingency planning that the Government has undertaken for the possibility of a no-deal scenario, including a deal with the EU falling through at the last minute due to one of the other areas of the UK economy failing to agree terms with the EU.
  • Clarify which issues concerning the life sciences industry arising from the UK leaving the EU, are within the control of the UK Government entirely, and which are dependent on negotiations and agreement with the EU.
  • Clarify what guarantees the Government can provide now to both patients and businesses about the supply of medicines, medical devices and substances of human origin, and the future of the UK life sciences industry.

UK's future relationship with European Medicines Agency

The Committee also seeks to clarity from the Secretary of State on the Government's position on the UK's future relationship with the European Medicines Agency and when the details of a potential transitional period relating to the UK's exit from the EU, if secured, will be announced.

The Committee also explores with the Secretary of State what his new role as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care means in terms of his changing responsibilities and duties.

Further information

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