Swedish drug developer and toll manufacturer Recipharm has set up a dedicated taskforce to manage the potential impact of Brexit on its business. With the deadline for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU – on whatever terms – less than a year away, the company said it is is focused on managing the transition with minimal impact.

Recipharm said the Brexit taskforce will work toward prioritizing the company’s preparations and will invest in the necessary capabilities and equipment within its UK and European facilities to ensure seamless operations after March 2019.

Among measures aimed at strengthening its organization ahead of Brexit, the drug developer said it plans to recruit more staff in laboratory and regulatory roles to meet the additional analytical, release testing and administration requirements expected.

Thomas Beck, senior vice president, quality management, said Recipharm wants to ensure that its team is equipped to handle the potential challenges so that its customers continue to receive the same level of service. The company expects to see a greater demand for outsourced manufacturing services from UK-based marketing authorization holders (MAHs) wishing to supply to Europe, he said.

“While many stakeholders in the pharma industry are campaigning for a ‘soft’ exit from the EU,” Beck said, “there is a risk that the complexity of the regulatory landscape will increase dramatically if a ‘hard’ Brexit takes place."