Brexit : the pharma industry and Malta’s availability of medicines

Abstract

Editorial about the referendum date when British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens will decide whether the UK will withdrawal from the EU or not. A possible Brexit would undoubtedly impinge on the healthcare sector. Another concern relates to the issue of patents, including pharmaceutical ones. Reference to the European Medicines Agency which is the regulatory body responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines developed by pharmaceutical companies for use in the EU, and what would happen if a Brexit materialises. Another aspect is that Malta has over 1400 medicines licensed in Malta which are sourced from the UK market through various European procedures.