The British Liver Trust Helpline has been getting increasing calls and messages from patients concerned about access to medication in the event of a ‘No Deal’ or a Hard Brexit. As a result we contacted the Government for clarification. Today we have received the following response from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency(MHRA):
Leaving the EU with a deal remains the Government’s top priority. This has not changed. However, a responsible government must plan for every eventuality, including a no deal scenario.
Stephen Hammond, Minister of State for Health has made a Written Ministerial Statement updating the House on the Department for Health and Social Care’s plans for the continuity of medicines and medical products in the event we exit the EU without a deal. We have published a GOV.UK news story setting out the department’s plans and the link to the statement where you can read the plans in full here.
NHS England have published patient messaging on NHS.uk which sets out how patients can access their medicines and medical products in the event of a no deal EU Exit. A message for healthcare providers has also been published as well as a Q&A for more information for patients and healthcare providers. Please read that information here. It is also available on NHSE’s website here. The Q&A is here.
This is the latest information on the Department for Health and Social Care’s plans for the continuity of medicines and medical products in the event we exit the EU without a deal. We would be grateful if you could cascade this information through your various communications channels.
If you have any queries, please email engagement@mhra.gov.uk.
Wales are also taking steps to prepare for any disruption to medical supplies: Andrew Evans, Wales Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, has issued a video detailing information on the supply of medicines and medical supplies in the event of a 'No Deal' or hard Brexit. Wales Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, has supported the message which can be viewed here
As this is a reserved matter, it is the UK Government which is putting any contingency plans into place and there will be no divergence on plans implemented in Scotland.
