The European Council’s draft guidelines on the future UK-EU relationship say that the UK, as a third country outside the EU single market, will not be able to participate in any EU agencies after Brexit, dashing hopes expressed by the government that the UK could have “associate membership” of the EMA. However, the UK BioIndustry Association remains optimistic that some form of regulatory cooperation can be negotiated in the interests of all stakeholders.
The European Council says that the UK will not be able to take part in any EU agencies after Brexit, directly contradicting suggestions by prime minister Theresa May last week that the UK could seek “associate membership” of the European Medicines Agency after March 2019.
The statement is contained in the draft guidelines drawn up by the council on the future relationship between the UK...