Brexit benefits: health and science

Health and science: the benefits

1. 38

   Faster approval of new medicines

   The MHRA can approve medicines already cleared by trusted regulators such as the US FDA.

   Only possible outside the EUJan 2024Source: MHRA International Recognition Procedure

2. 39

   Modern clinical trial rules

   New UK rules to speed up approval of clinical trials.

   Only possible outside the EUIn force April 2026Source: Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

3. 40

   A UK-led Covid vaccine programme

   The UK chose not to join the EU's joint vaccine purchase and was the first country to approve a Covid vaccine.

   Made easier by leaving2 Dec 2020Source: Vaccine Taskforce; MHRA

4. 41

   Gene-edited crops allowed

   Precision breeding can produce hardier, more nutritious crops. EU rules treat these as GMOs.

   Only possible outside the EU2023 ActSource: Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023

More topics: Sovereignty and law · Trade · Borders and immigration · Tax and cost of living · Business and finance · Health and science · Farming, fishing and nature · Tech and data · The full selection of 52

The numbers match our full selection of 52 Brexit benefits. We only list changes that are in force or signed, with a date and a primary source. "Only possible outside the EU" means EU law or EU exclusive powers would have blocked it. "Made easier by leaving" means it was possible in principle but faster or simpler outside.