The Medicines Authority is hoping to attract the UK-based European Medicines Agency to relocate to Malta, Consumer Affairs Minister Helena Dalli said today. 

The EMA, which is responsible for protecting human and animal health through the supervision of medicines, is currently based in London, and could potentially be forced to move once the ramifications of Brexit are clearer.  

Dr Dalli made the remark at a ceremony inaugurating the authority's new premises at the Malta Life Sciences Park in San Ġwann. She said the authority was spearheading Malta's bid to attract the EMA here. 

The minister praised the authority for having undergone a "major transformation" in the past three years. 

Dr Dalli, right, said the authority had transformed itself over the past three years. Photo: DOI

She made reference to the authority's creation of a medicines intelligence and access unit, which had, the minister said, "led to a reduction in prices of 114 medicines in the last two years where consumers could save up to 67%”. 

Dr Dalli also praised the authority for "not shunning its responsibility" when faced with difficult decisions and topics, as was recently the case with public debate about the availability of the morning-after pill. 

Authority chairman Anthony Serracino Inglott praised the authority's workforce for its commitment, and said that the authority had fostered strong relationships with all stakeholders involved.