As uncertainty remains on access to medicine in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Lords are continuing to call for clarity on the issue.
With just nine-weeks before the UK is set to leave the European Union, the House of Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee has once again called on the government to provide clarity on whether access to medicines and medical products can be guaranteed in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Questions such as ‘When will the government contact suppliers of medicines and medical products to give them notice and guidance on rerouting their supplies?’ and ‘Is Public Health England planning to stockpile vaccines and other products used for urgent public health use?’ highlight the disorder and uncertainty surrounding medicine supply to the UK should the country separate from the EU without an agreement in place.
The Committee initially requested clarity from secretary of state Matt Hancock in November 2018 on no-deal preparations for medicine provision following an evidence session. While the answers received were ‘welcomed’ by the Committee, the minister’s response did not alleviate all of the members’ concerns.
MPs are still pushing for clarity on certain matters, including whether there is a list of products other than vaccines that may need to be stockpiled for urgent public health use, and have also requested, again, disclosure of the cost of flying in medical products for a six-week period.
The Committee is hoping for a response from the government within ten working days.
