Amsterdam backs a ‘transparent and objective’ relocation of EU drugs agency

By Sarantis Michalopoulos | EURACTIV.com

21-04-2017

The Netherlands announced on Thursday (20 April) Amsterdam’s candidacy for hosting the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which is currently based in London.

Rutte: "I would encourage the Commission to involve the EMA in determining these criteria."
[Minister-President Rutte/Flickr]

In a letter to the European Council and the European Commission, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced his country’s intention to enter the race for the EMA’s relocation after the Brexit vote, claiming that the Amsterdam metropolitan area is the most suitable location.

State Secretary for Health, Welfare, and Sports Martin van Rijn stressed that the EMA’s vital work should not be disrupted, contending that the Netherlands offers all the facilities necessary for the agency to relocate quickly and efficiently.

“What’s more, its own Medicines Evaluation Board is one of the most prominent national medicines regulators in Europe,” van Rijn added.

___________________

EU drugs agency: Don't politicise Brexit relocation, say Athens, Copenhagen

The criteria regarding the relocation of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) from London after the Brexit vote should not be political, Danish and Greek officials told Euractiv.com on Monday (20 February).

___________________

Several member states have already expressed their interest in hosting the agency, including Sweden, Denmark, Italy, France, Ireland, Germany, Greece, Croatia and Spain.

 

(...)