The UK House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee has published the findings of its six-month long investigation into the impact of Brexit on medicines, medical devices and substances of human origin. The Committee’s report sets out recommendations for the UK Government in its negotiations with the EU on the terms of the UK’s
Category Archives: UK & EU Public Law & Policy
Subscribe to UK & EU Public Law & Policy RSS FeedUnfit to remit: First-Tier Tribunal must make its own decision on whether information relating to Blairs’ post-office appointments must be disclosed
In relation to a Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) request for details of Tony Blair’s private appointments after his tenure as Prime Minister, the Upper Tribunal (“UT”) has confirmed that the First-Tier Tribunal (“FTT”) cannot remit a decision to the Information Commissioner for fresh consideration. The UT was also critical of the FTT’s approach
Brexit – what’s next for medical devices?
On 22 January 2018, the European Commission released a notice to stakeholders concerning the United Kingdom’s (“UK”) possible withdrawal from the European Union (“EU”) and the EU rules in the field of industrial products, including medical devices and in vitro medical diagnostic medical devices. The notice presents the steps that manufacturers of medical devices and
European Commission Publishes Guidance on Brexit and UK Food Exports
On 1 February 2018, the European Commission issued a notice on the impact of Brexit for food products originating from the UK. The Commission confirmed that, in the absence of a transitional agreement, the UK will become a ‘third country’ from the date of its withdrawal from the EU. This will impact a number of
Freedom of Information Code of Practice Consultation
The Government is consulting (link below) on various revisions to the Code of Practice for public authorities on their obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the “Act“). The revisions, which are intended to reflect developments in good practice, include the following: additional guidance on fundamental principles, such as how to define “information” and
UK Modern Slavery Act – are tougher disclosure requirements on their way?
Disclosure requirements under the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 (‘MSA’) have pushed many businesses operating in the UK to gather and interrogate information about human rights risks across their operations and supply chains – but for some advocates of the MSA and campaigners, the new disclosure regime has fallen short. The shortcomings are addressed to
UK Government Announces Life Sciences Sector Deal
The UK government has published a White Paper setting out its new Industrial Strategy and, as part of that strategy, has agreed a Sector Deal with the UK life sciences sector. The White Paper covers all industries and identifies the life sciences sector as having particular strategic value in the UK, generating £64 billion of
The French Competition Authority Wants to Lower Prices of Pharmaceuticals
On November 21, 2017, the French Competition Authority (“FCA”) announced the launch of a new sector inquiry relating to the functioning of competition in the pharmaceutical sector. This inquiry will lead the FCA to make recommendations to the French President Macron and the government on how to increase competition and lower prices of pharmaceuticals. The
House of Lords Committee critical of “unacceptably wide” powers in the Withdrawal Bill
The House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee has published a report on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill which sets out its concerns on the “unfettered discretion” and “excessively wide legislative powers” given to Ministers by the Bill. The report is particularly critical of the so-called Henry VIII powers granted to Government by
UK MHRA Publishes Guide to the New EU Medical Device and IVD Regulations
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (“MHRA”) has published an interactive guide to assist companies with understanding the requirements of the new EU Medical Device Regulation (“MDR”) and In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Regulation (“IVDR”). The MDR and IVDR entered into force on 25 May 2017. Most of the requirements under the MDR
FDA, EU Regulators Agree to Share Unredacted Inspection Reports and Other Confidential Information
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the European Commission – DG Sante (DG Sante), signed a new confidentiality commitment which expands the scope of the current confidentiality arrangements that apply to the cooperative law enforcement activities conducted by the regulators. The new confidentiality commitment allows the regulators to share
Lord Justice Jackson suggests extending Aarhus Rules to all JR claims… again
On 31 July, Lord Justice Jackson published a report containing a series of proposals on civil litigation costs. While mainly focused on fixed recoverable costs, the report also contained a radical suggestion: to extend the claimant-friendly rules applying to environmental claims (which derive from the Aarhus Convention) to all judicial review claims. However, this is
HRLA panel discusses growing significance of commercial human rights post-Brexit
Before a central London audience earlier this month, Charles Brasted, partner and head of public law and policy at Hogan Lovells, and leading QCs Tim Ward, Jessica Simor and Gerry Facenna reflected on the likely impact of the UK’s withdrawal on commercial human rights law and the constitutional settlement in England and Wales. There was
Why the Repeal Bill is central to making Brexit a success
Leaving the EU will require the most comprehensive re-writing of the UK’s statute book ever undertaken. Parliament must unpick over 40 years of integration between the UK and the EU legal systems and ensure no gaps are left in the process. The Government’s solution, the highly anticipated, formerly ‘Great’, Repeal Bill, is due to be published
Ministers Provide Insight on the UK’s Position on the Regulation of Medicines post-Brexit
With the negotiations for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU formally under way, the UK healthcare sector is calling on the UK Government to make patient safety and access to medicines a priority in negotiations – and it appears from a recent letter to the Financial Times (FT) that Government ministers are listening. On 3
New UK Brexit Health Alliance Formed
A “Brexit Health Alliance” (BHA) has been formed to bring together a diverse range of UK stakeholders in the healthcare industry and provide a single voice for the sector on Brexit-related issues. Members of the BHA include NHS organisations, industry associations, universities, research organisations and charities, the Royal Colleges, such as NHS Confederation, NHS Providers,
Stuck in the middle without EU: UK courts grapple with Brexit uncertainty
The UK Government has made clear that it intends to end the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU (“CJEU“) in the UK post-Brexit. This will, unless agreed otherwise in the negotiations, result in litigants losing the ability to make references to the CJEU on questions of EU law. In the meantime, the
General Election 2017: Comply with the Campaigning Rules
The 2017 General Election campaign is up and running. There are strict rules on campaign spending by non-political parties during the 365 days leading up to a General Election, which apply retrospectively back to 9 June 2016 until 8 June 2017. With businesses engaging with the British public about important political issues like never before,
Finger on the polls – May calls for snap General Election
UK Prime Minister Theresa May has today announced that she intends to trigger a General Election to take place on 8 June 2017. The announcement is the latest unexpected twist in an unpredictable 12 months in British politics. What does this surprise development mean for the Brexit process? Read the full blog here.
French Sunshine Regulations: The Puzzle Now Completed and in Force
The French sunshine regulations require industry to report certain agreements along with the fees and other benefits provided to various stakeholders in the healthcare sector. Sunshine regulations were amended in January 2016 to increase transparency. Some specifics of these changes were partly established by an implementing decree dated 28 December 2016. Through the publication of
What you need to know before Brexit gets underway this week
The Brexit process gets officially underway this week when the UK formally notifies the European Council of its intention to withdraw from the EU on 29 March 2017. The road ahead is untested and uncertain, as the UK will be the first EU Member State ever to leave the Union. Hogan Lovells will be hosting
Calling time on time limits?
CPR 54.5(2) is clear: the time limit for filing the claim form for judicial review may not be extended by agreement of the parties. The justification for the rule is well-known. Undue delay sits uncomfortably with good administration since public bodies need certainty as to the validity of their decisions – and third parties need
Agreeing how to disagree: Brexit, future EU-UK agreements and the need for an umpire
What good is a cricket game without an umpire? We explore potential options for dispute resolution in the future UK-EU trading relationship. Read the full blog here.
Brexit: the ball is in which court?
The UK Government’s Brexit white paper asserted that Brexit will end the jurisdiction of the CJEU (Court of Justice of the European Union) in the UK. However, the reality is more complex. We explain why the CJEU’s significance cannot be ignored. Read the full blog here.