Asked by: Chris Green (Conservative - Bolton West)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with the science and research community on ensuring that the UK will have compatible regulations with the EU clinical trials regulations after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Prime Minister has made clear that a key priority through the negotiations will be to ensure that the UK remains one of the best places in the world for science and innovation. As part of those negotiations the Government will discuss with the EU and Member States how best to continue cooperation in the field of clinical trials.
Stakeholder engagement is a central element of our plan to build a national consensus around our negotiating position; we are listening and talking to as many organisations, companies and institutions as possible. We have been working closely with business through the joint government and industry, UK EU Life Sciences Steering Group, to help identify the priorities for our future relationship with the EU for the benefit of patient health, including clinical trials. We have also engaged stakeholders from other sectors, including the Association of Medical Research Charities, to discuss cross cutting issues which may impact our future relationship on clinical trials. I also attend the Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Stakeholder Working Group on EU Exit, Universities, Research and Innovation.