Following agreement of the deal under which the UK has now left the EU, Michelle Riddalls, CEO of PAGB, the consumer healthcare association, said:
“We are pleased and relieved that the UK and EU have agreed a free trade deal which we hope will enable our member companies to continue to supply over-the-counter medicines and medical devices with the least possible disruption.
“The consumer healthcare industry has planned extensively for the range of scenarios it has faced since the outcome of the EU exit referendum in June 2016 and will welcome the end to such a prolonged period of uncertainty.
“However, we still need further clarity about certain elements of the agreement, such as the extent to which some specific GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) procedures will be mutually recognised by the EU and the UK.
“It is also important that work continues in the coming months to ensure continuity of medicines supply to Northern Ireland under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
“PAGB will continue to work with and support its members as we all adapt to the new ways of working outside of the European Union.”
