Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Brown Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Matt Hancock]

There are deepening relationships between universities and the NHS right across the country, especially in this field of the combination of diagnosis and early treatment. Some of the most advanced technology and research in the world is happening in universities in the UK in order to save lives, which is such an important issue here.

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

12. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on access to new medicines of the UK leaving the EU.

[Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP)]

20. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on access to new medicines of the UK leaving the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Matt Hancock)]

We will continue to have access to new medicines through the deal we expect to negotiate with the EU. In the unlikely event of no deal, we will directly recognise batch testing of medicines done in the EU. We are currently consulting on the approach to licensing medicines in a no-deal scenario, but I am clear that patients should not be disadvantaged and should continue to have timely access to new medicines.

[Alan Brown]

The reality is that Brexit uncertainty about future medicine approvals and unresolved issues with the European Medicines Agency have caused research firm Recardio to suspend UK recruitment to a drug trial, posing a risk to its business and interrupting the research. As the EMA has no associate membership for third countries, how does the Secretary of State plan to avoid the UK being left out of future clinical trials despite his bluster?

[Matt Hancock]

Not only does the UK bring a huge amount to the table in terms of research, but we fully intend to make sure that we have a robust and seamless system in place. A consultation is out at the moment and we will respond to it very shortly.