Sweden is ready to host the EMA
Sweden is determined to host the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Stockholm and is ready for seamless relocation. The Swedish Prime Minister has written to the President of the European Council, Mr Tusk, expressing Sweden’s wholehearted ambition to host the EMA.
"We are certain that we are the best country to host the EMA. I am sure that we can convince the other European governments of this," says Minister for Social Security Annika Strandhäll.
"We can provide a seamless transition for the EMA and its staff to a world-class scientific environment with life sciences collaborations between the health care sector, academia and industry."
Ms Strandhäll will focus on this issue when she meets European colleagues in Luxemburg on 15–16 June and at other European bilateral meetings. Since December 2016, the Swedish Government, together with regional stakeholders, has been working intensively to set up an extraordinary package for the European Medicines Agency. Ministers across government have put the EMA issue on the agenda of meetings with European colleagues.
The Swedish Government believes that Sweden is best suited to host the EMA for the reasons outlined below.
1. Identified location in Stockholm
Sweden has options for EMA headquarters in Hagastaden, Stockholm; these are well embedded in the life sciences centre near Karolinska Institutet, one of the most renowned medical universities in the world, and the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), an elite research centre for molecular biosciences.
2. Leading research environment
Some of Europe's best researchers call Stockholm-Uppsala home and the region's five universities their second address. These bright talents conduct research in biomedicine, pharmacology, human health sciences and regulatory science. This cluster also includes three university hospitals, providing high-quality healthcare and research.
3. Smooth transition for the staff and their families
- A housing provision service: construction of new housing in Stockholm-Uppsala is growing rapidly.
- A one-stop shop, including a specially developed mobile phone application, will be available to guide EMA employees and their families through the steps to take as they settle into life in Sweden.
4. The Swedish Medical Products Agency: an asset for EU27
Since its start in 1995, the Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA) has been one of the EMA's most active partners, with broad in-house expertise in all therapeutic areas. It is a valuable asset that will allow for the continuity of the EMA's work.
5. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is already well established in Stockholm. Close geographical proximity of the ECDC and the EMA would contribute to synergy effects and facilitate the agencies' collaboration, for example in vaccines and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Relocating EMA to Sweden may therefore help strengthen Europe's defences against international health threats. In Sweden, there is substantial experience of work to tackle AMR, which stems from active and successful efforts over several decades to combat antibiotic resistance.
6. Stockholm is easy to access
The location proposed as the new EMA headquarters is within easy reach of two international airports. Arlanda Airport and Bromma Airport can both be reached from Hagastaden in less than 30 minutes.
For more information: www.ematosweden.eu
Contact:
Victor Harju
Press Secretary to Minister for Social Security Annika Strandhäll
072-5043670
victor.harju@regeringskansliet.se
Karin Boman Röding
Press secretary for Health Care, Public Health and Sport, responsible Minister Annika Strandhäll
Mobile 076-1166562
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