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Drug Companies Fear Brexit Will Hit Medicine Trade

  • Customs, administrative procedures yet to be determined
  • “Will we be able to do everything on time? Probably Not”
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Photographer: Ariana Lindquist/Bloomberg

Time is running short for a Brexit agreement that will allow the free movement of medicines through the U.K. and the rest of the European Union.

A myriad of issues, including guidance on transferring product registration and drug testing in the region, are yet to be resolved, Alan Morrison, vice president of regulatory affairs international for Merck & Co., said in an interview in London. The problem is particularly acute for drug and biotech companies whose products sometimes take years to make, test and navigate through regulatory channels.