EMA to relocate to Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) will relocate to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The agency is responsible for the approval of medicines on the European market. EMA has to relocate due to the United Kingdom’s decision to withdraw from the EU. The Agency now has just over 16 months to prepare for the move and take up its operations in Amsterdam on 30 March 2019 at the latest.
Statement by Wouter Bos, who served as ambassador for Amsterdam’s EMA bid: "Amsterdam scored highly on its proposed premises, easy access, and everything the city has to offer the EMA’s staff. That means Amsterdam is also the right choice for the 500 million Europeans who benefit from the Agency’s work."
Amsterdam was one of 19 offers to host EMA submitted by the Member States at the end of July 2017. Besides a strengthening of the network of the Top Sector Life Sciences & Health there is a significant economic impact. Over 2250 fulltime jobs, €150 million direct expenditure and many incoming visitors.
EMA and the Netherlands will kick start their collaboration by establishing a joint governance structure to steer and oversee the relocation project. Because of its important role to safeguard public and animal health in the EU, EMA is committed to giving stakeholders and the public full visibility of the relocation project. In early December, the Agency will make available a monitoring chart on its website that will allow to track the progress made.
Response from the Minister for Healthcare, Bruno Bruins: "This is good news for all patients across Europe. In Amsterdam the EMA will be able to continue its important work without interruption after Brexit. The Agency can continue to grant access to new, innovative medicines without delay and will still be able to respond quickly and effectively in the event of problems with a given drug. Both aspects of the EMA’s role are crucial for all patients in Europe, and we are delighted that the EU made its choice on that basis. I want to thank everyone who contributed to this fine achievement. Now, the real work begins. Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a whole are fully committed to ensuring the EMA’s relocation runs smoothly. We are ready to get started and we will make sure that the EMA’s important work is not disrupted."
Source: EMA
