EMA relocation on priority work during move to Amsterdam

The European Union agency for the evaluation of medicinal products can now physically be relocated from London to Amsterdam in early March 2019, as a consequence of Brexit.

In order to ensure that the Agency continues its main activities during its relocation, it will implement the activities contained in the phase 4 of its  business continuity plan  (BCP). The Agency’s activities will mainly focus on the authorisation, maintenance and supervision of medicines, ongoing Brexit preparedness/implementation activities, and preparing for the implementation of new veterinary legislation. These priorities have been set in the light of the anticipated staff loss of 25% of the EMA’s total workforce and ensure the continued delivery of services.

Next steps

• EMA will leave its premises in London on 1 March 2019.
  
• From 4 to 8 March the Agency will operate on the basis of extended teleworking. During the course of the following week (11-15 March) EMA staff will gradually move into the Spark building.
  
• In April 2019, once the Agency has completed its move to Amsterdam, the Agency will review which other activities from the multiannual work plan can be resumed in the second half of 2019.
  

Analysis

This is an important step in the EMA’s temporary relocation as the European agency is expected be re-transferred to a new building by November 2019. Ensuring a smooth EMA relocation is of critical importance for pharmaceutical companies as the relocation may impact the Agency’s ability to timely assess medicines for safety, efficacy and quality in order to deliver a marketing authorisation for the European market.