Brexit could disrupt medicine supplies for six months – minister

A no-deal Brexit could disrupt medicines supplies to the UK for at least six months because of delays as they are shipped across the channel, instead of the previously estimated six weeks, a government minister has warned. The website Hospital Pharmacy Europe reported that manufacturers may have to rethink logistics arrangements to avoid the delays when medicines are shipped via crossings at Dover and Folkestone. It cited a letter from MP Stephen Hammond, sent this month, written in response to questions from the House of Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee about access to medical supplies if no deal is reached by 29th March.
Delays could affect “critical” prescription-only and pharmacy drugs, and UK manufacturers, Hammond warned in the letter. Flying medicines in by air freight is one option under consideration to avoid delays maintain the supply, but Hammond gave no further information about which medicines would be prioritized. In the letter, he said the Department of Health and Social Care is exploring this option but said arrangements with air freight companies are commercially confidential.