Regulatory Approaches: Pharmaceuticals, Medicines & Chemicals

Globally the main barriers to trade are no longer tariffs but differing regulations between countries. Exporters have to meet the varying requirements in different countries, which is likely to mean extra costs. However, countries may choose to vary regulations for many good domestic reasons, such as responding to consumer pressures or reduce the cost of domestic production. Finding a balance is difficult for all countries. For the UK, having just left the EU regulatory bloc, it presented a particular challenge.

This session of the UK Trade and Business Commission heard the views of regulatory experts on how they think the UK should approach the challenges of regulations and trade. Particularly focusing on the pharmaceuticals, medicines and chemicals sectors, we asked whether the opportunities for divergence outweigh the costs, and the extent to which the EU’s position as a global regulator will create incentives to remain aligned.

Dr Philippa Whitford MP chaired this session.

Watch Below

Witnesses

Session 1: The challenges for pharmaceutical research: from benchwork through to patients (10.00am - 11.00am)

  • Emily Crossley, Co-founder and CEO of Duchenne UK

  • Mark Dayan, Brexit Programme Lead and Head of Public Affairs, Nuffield Trust

  • Laura Williams, Europe & Global Affairs Manager, Cancer Research UK

Session 2: What is regulation, and what does the future hold for it going forwards? (11.00am - 12.00pm)

  • Anton Spisak, Policy Lead for Trade and Productivity, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

  • Kate Ling, Senior European Policy Manager, NHS Confederation

  • Dr Michael Warhurst, Executive Director, CHEM Trust

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