Giving the UK regulator the power to issue UK-wide marketing authorizations for products that fall within the scope of the EU centralized procedure will reduce the regulatory burden on companies marketing medicines in Northern Ireland.

Under the landmark “Windsor Framework” agreed by the UK and the EU, medicines will take the “green lane” from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, while the UK regulator will have UK-wide responsibility for all drug approvals. In addition, the provisions of the EU Falsified Medicines Directive will no longer apply in Northern Ireland.

The two countries want the European Commission’s proposals to be more closely examined for their possible negative effect on pharmaceutical investment decisions. The industry federation EFPIA says it is surprised more EU member states aren’t taking the same stance.