Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of a disorderly Brexit on the supply of pharmaceuticals between the UK and EU member states.

Leaving the European Union with a deal remains the Government’s top priority. However, as a responsible Government we must plan for every possible outcome including ‘no deal’. The Department has published guidance to industry and the health and care system to allow them to make informed plans and preparations. This is available online at GOV.UK.

The Government has been working closely with industry to ensure the supply of medicines can continue uninterrupted in the event of a ‘no deal’ EU exit, including building stockpiles, providing additional warehousing space and buying freight capacity on alternative ferry routes away from the short straits crossings to Dover and Folkestone for goods to continue to come into the United Kingdom from 12 April. We are supporting companies in booking space on aircraft for products which require an immediate shipment due to short shelf-life or specific storage conditions. We have also made changes to, or clarifications of, certain regulatory requirements so that companies can continue to sell their products in the UK even if we have no deal. Finally, we are strengthening the processes and resources used to deal with shortages in the event that they do occur.

We are confident that, if everyone does what they need to do, the supply of medicines and medical products into the UK will be uninterrupted.