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Parliamentary question - P-005871/2017Parliamentary question
P-005871/2017

Relocation of the European Medicines Agency

Question for written answer P-005871-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Christel Schaldemose (S&D)

The decision on the relocation of the European Medicines Agency needs to be taken on the basis of objective and ambitious specialist criteria to ensure that the EMA can continue to operate optimally both during the transition period and in the long term.

The decision-making process is extremely complicated, but I am concerned that it will not, to a sufficient extent, be based on objective criteria. This will increase the risk of disruption to the EMA’s operations.

I would therefore call on the Commission to be as specific as possible in assessing the individual candidates, and to demonstrate to what extent each one satisfies, or fails to satisfy, the objective criteria.

If the EMA’s operations are affected as a result of a failure to satisfy certain criteria, not only will there be a negative impact on patient safety in Europe, but access to new, innovative medicines will also be restricted. It is therefore vital that those two areas are not affected when the EMA is relocated.

How is the Commission going to ensure that, when the EMA is relocated, patient safety will continue to be guaranteed both in the transition period and in the long term?

How is the Commission going to ensure that the EMA’s new home will guarantee the best possible working conditions for the agency’s staff?

How is the Commission going to ensure that the large number of national experts who visit the EMA on a daily basis — and whose input is essential to the agency’s work — will continue to have easy access to the EMA?