Impact of Brexit on UK and EU Drug Regulation and Patient Access

The chronology of the United Kingdom (UK) leaving the European Union (EU) is presented together with its implications for medicines regulation, including the move of the European Medicines Agency from London (UK) to Amsterdam (the Netherlands). The legal and political options for the UK and the EU are discussed, which at the time of writing (October 2018) are both uncertain. Of importance is the response of the pharmaceutical industry and the possible consequences for UK patients, including delays in access to innovative medicines and an increase in drug costs. Although there may be some possible advantages for UK medicines regulation, these will depend on the outcome of the ongoing negotiations.