A new policy paper has been published by the UK Government on the ‘Benefits of Brexit: How the UK is taking advantage of leaving the EU’. This is in timing with the two-year anniversary of the UK’s departure from the trading bloc on 31 January 2020.
Regarding healthcare and life sciences, there are various mentions of the beneficial changes and new programmes that have arisen for the UK since Brexit took place.
Research and development is an area in which the UK has invested heavily in since leaving the EU. The country made a declaration to become a science superpower by 2030 and a global hub for innovation by 2035. Also already in action is a commissioning of independent reviews of research bureaucracy, UK Research and Investment and the research, development and innovation organisational landscape.
Clinical trials have benefited from the implementation of The Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021, giving powers to update clinical trials regulation. The Life Sciences Vision was released in Summer 2021, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has been made an independent body. A new Consultation to industry stakeholders and the public on the future UK medical device regulation regime closed in November, and the Government response is expected soon. A new work programme for the regulation of health-related software and AI to deliver change and increased innovation is planned by the Government also.
Health protection policies include: a rapid independent review to identify which policies and regulatory reforms will be most impactful in supporting the 2030 Smokefree ambition, proposals for regulatory reforms in a new Tobacco Control Plan to be published later this year.
“This is a hugely exciting time for our country, one filled with potential and opportunity. The bolder we are, the greater the gains will be for us all. And—as this document demonstrates—this is a government that possesses the ambition and determination the UK needs to succeed now and for many years to come”, said Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The full ‘Benefits of Brexit’ policy paper can be accessed here.
