HDA UK Media And Political Bulletin – 20 March 2017

Media Summary

Just 1,000 pharmacies could survive cuts, APPG hears
Chemist and Druggist, Thomas Cox, 18 March 2017

England could be left with just 1,000 pharmacies due to government funding cuts, the all-party pharmacy group (APPG) heard this week. Owner of the Burdon Pharmacy Group and a Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) representative, Mr Burdon, said that the Pharmacy Access Scheme (PhAS) is “only a politically expedient tool used by the government to make it seem like [the government is] not cutting every single pharmacy – to appease patients”. On pharmacy mergers, PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe said last November that changes to regulations around mergers – which came into force in December – could help contractors “survive” in future.

Finland throws hat into ring to host EU drug agency after Brexit
Reuters, Tuomas Forsell, 17 March 2017

The Finnish government is the latest to join several other European Union states bidding to become the new home of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) once Britain leaves the EU. The Finnish government announced its plans on Friday; Helsinki currently hosts the European Chemical Agency, ECHA.

Parliamentary Coverage

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Full Coverage

Finland throws hat into ring to host EU drug agency after Brexit
Reuters, Tuomas Forsell, 17 March 2017

The Finnish government on Friday said it will join several other European Union states in bidding to become the new home of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) once Britain leaves the EU.

The London-based EMA has a workforce of about 900. It reviews experimental drugs and makes recommendations on market approval, which the EU Commission usually follows.

Other countries looking to lure the London-based EMA include Denmark, Sweden, Spain, France, Italy, Ireland and Poland.

Helsinki currently hosts the European Chemical Agency, ECHA.

From Factory to Pharmacy

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