Hughes35
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- Sep 16, 2014
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Seems to be a bit strange that the Uk was the only country that chose to take the option to speed up approval to cure a deadly virus?I would suggest reading the article properly before posting it as evidence that Brexit helped procure the vaccines more quickly.
But the idea that Brexit enabled the UK to press ahead and authorise one is not right.
It was actually permitted under EU law, a point made by the head of the UK's medicines regulator on Wednesday.
What are EU rules on approving vaccines?
Under European law a vaccine must be authorised by the EMA, but individual countries can use an emergency procedure that allows them to distribute a vaccine for temporary use in their domestic market.
Britain is still subject to those EU rules during the post-Brexit transition period which runs until the end of the year.
The UK's own medicines regulator, the MHRA, confirmed this in a statement last month.
And its chief executive, Dr June Raine, said on Wednesday that "we have been able to authorise the supply of this vaccine using provisions under European law, which exist until 1 January".
I remember thinking this was one of the few times Johnson didn't act like a total buffoon when asked about this and sidestepped the question about it totally.
It sounds to me that it was probably easier for the Uk to go this route as it could make it's own decision away from the rest of Europe.
I don't really have any "side" to either Brexit or remain by the way. Just think the thread needs a bit of balance from other things that are going on.