The government has revealed its plans to prevent medicine shortages in case of a no-deal Brexit.
Around 75% of the medicines used in the UK come from or via the EU, and more than that half of the UK’s “clinical consumables” – such as syringes and surgical gloves – fall into this category.
In an update published on Monday, health officials warned that the main risk to supply if the UK crashes out of the EU is from “reduced traffic flow” between the Calais and Dover or Folkestone.
But having analysed the supply chains of 12,300 medicines – along with how almost half a million medical devices and clinical consumables are produced – the Department for Health and Social Care said it had put in place a “multi-layered approach” to minimise supply disruption.
Not only have officials secured additional freight capacity away from Dover and Folkestone, but buffer stocks of some drugs and goods will be built up to prevent shortages.
However, patients have been warned against personal stockpiling, with the department saying that it could cause shortages in other areas “which could put patient care at risk”.
Meanwhile, extra warehouse space is being bought to hold additional stock and spaces on planes are being booked for products with short shelf-lives.
“While we never give guarantees, we are confident that, if everyone – including suppliers, freight companies, our international partners, and the health and care system – does what they need to do, the supply of medicines and medical products should be uninterrupted in the event of exiting the EU without a deal,” the update read.
The release comes a week after Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs that the NHS had spent “around £11m” on no-deal planning, saying he expected it would “remain at that level, if a little higher”.
The cabinet minister had previously told parliament’s health and social care committee that medicine “will be prioritised” over food if Brexit disrupts supply chains.
Theresa May revealed today that MPs would be given the chance to vote for a no-deal Brexit in March if the Commons reject her plans to leave the EU in a second meaningful vote.