The Scottish National Party has put the NHS, EU membership and Scottish independence at the heart of its campaign as the UK prepares to vote in the 12 December general election.

More money to pay for innovative new medicines, more cash and support for the life sciences sector, and Brexit by 31 January 2020 are among promises made in the Conservative Party’s election platform. 

The election manifesto produced by the Labour Party offers something for everyone, from the dropping of prescription charges and a boost for health care spending to more use of compulsory licensing and the building of a state-owned generics factory to make medicines more affordable.

The European Medicines Agency has taken possession of its new HQ in Amsterdam and has hired 77 new staff members to make up for the severe staff losses it has witnessed on account of Brexit. 

The UK pharma industry association has underscored the sector’s importance while outlining its demands for the country’s policy around medicines and R&D.

The BioIndustry Association has laid out its wishlist for the next UK administration, including deep regulatory alignment with the EU after Brexit, a more “flexible” approach to health technology assessment appraisals of new drugs, and support for R&D.

BSI Netherlands is the seventh notified body to be designated under the EU’s Medical Device Regulation. But this latest announcement is one of the most important yet.