Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a mutual recognition agreement with the European Medicines Agency; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of such an agreement on access to (a) medicines and (b) medical devices.

We are focused on strengthening our relationship with the European Union, forging a stable, positive relationship that benefits the United Kingdom. We have always been clear that we will not return to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and the EU currently provides for mutual recognition of inspections and acceptance of official Good Manufacturing Practice documents. In addition, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency works closely with a range of international regulatory authorities, including the European Medicines Agency, through several international regulatory groups such as the International Council for Harmonisation, the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities and the International Medical Device Regulators Forum.