EMA Releases Statement on Brexit

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) says the future location of the agency will be determined by common agreement between representatives of the Member States, according to a July 6, 2016 statement. Until then, EMA says it will be conducting business as usual, and the outcome of the June 23 referendum will not affect the agency’s operations.

EMA wrote in the statement, “No Member State has ever decided to leave the EU, so there is no precedent for this situation. 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 … 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.”

EMA is working closely with European Union institutions. The agency said it will update its stakeholders as soon as more information becomes available.