39.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3) and regulation 40, the licensing authority shall consider a valid application for a manufacturing authorisation and grant, or refuse to grant, an authorisation within a period not exceeding 90 days from the date the application is received.
(2) Following receipt of an application, the licensing authority may give a notice in writing to the applicant requesting him to provide further information relating to—
(a)the particulars referred to in regulation 38(3); or
(b)the qualified person referred to in regulation 43.
(3) Where the licensing authority give a notice pursuant to paragraph (2), the period specified in paragraph (1) shall be suspended from the date the notice is given and shall recommence only on receipt of the information requested.
(4) If the application for a manufacturing authorisation relates (wholly or partially) to the importation of investigational medicinal products, the licensing authority may, if they think fit, require the production by the applicant of an undertaking, given by the manufacturer of any such products, to permit—
(a)the premises where they are or are to be manufactured; and
(b)the operations carried on or to be carried on in the course of manufacturing them,
to be inspected by or on behalf of the licensing authority.
(5) In this regulation, “valid application” means an application which complies with the provisions of regulation 38.