Question reference: S5O-01328
- Asked by: Maree Todd, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 27 September 2017
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 4 October 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Law Society of Scotland’s report, The UK withdrawal from the EU and the potential impact on health related matters, and the possible challenges that it identifies for Scotland regarding access to new medicines.
Answer
The Scottish Government welcomes the Law Society of Scotland’s analysis paper which makes a number of important points and recommendations.
From a medicines perspective we share the view raised in the paper that a significant consequence of the potential loss of UK participation within the European Medicines Agency (EMA) could be delays to patients, both in Scotland and across the wider UK, being able to access the new medicines they need and we agree that this a major concern.
I have urged the UK Government to secure the UK’s continued place within the EMA as quickly as possible and we will continue to do all that we can to protect Scotland’s interests and play an active role in influencing the outcome of UK medicines regulation and safety.