Brexit is shifting drug industry’s focus away from UK, MPs hear

Drug companies seem to be looking to base future operations and processes outside the UK because of uncertainty caused by Brexit, MPs have been told.

During an evidence session of the parliamentary business, energy and industrial strategy committee’s inquiry into the implications for British business of leaving the EU, witnesses representing the drug industry said that changes in the sector were already evident.

Contingency plans were being drawn up in case the UK did not secure a Brexit deal that included “regulatory alignment” with Europe over medicines, they warned during the evidence session, held on 5 December. MPs asked whether any noticeable changes had occurred since the Brexit referendum in …