| answer text |
<p>The Department’s contingency plans aim to ensure that the supply of medicines to
patients is not disrupted in all European Union exit scenarios, including in the event
we exit the EU without a deal. We are confident that, if everyone does what they need
to do, the supply of medicines will be uninterrupted in the event of exiting the EU
without a deal.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is working closely with trade bodies,
product suppliers, the health and care system in England, the devolved administrations
and Crown Dependencies, to make detailed plans to ensure the continuation of the supply
of medicines to the whole of the United Kingdom in the event of a no deal EU exit.</p><p>
</p><p>On 23 August 2018, the Department sent a letter to all healthcare providers
to advise of our ‘no deal’ EU exit medicines supply contingency plans. That letter
highlighted the need for maintaining existing practices and that hospitals, general
practitioners and community pharmacies throughout the UK do not need to take any steps
to stockpile additional medicines, beyond their business as usual buffer stocks.</p><p>
</p><p>A letter from Dr Keith Ridge CBE, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at NHS England,
outlining the steps taken thus far to protect the continuity of supply for medicines
was then sent out NHS services, including clinical commissioning groups, on 17 January
2019.</p><p> </p><p>More recently, on 4 February 2019, a further letter was sent out
by Professor Keith Willett, EU Exit Strategic Commander and Medical Director for Acute
Care and Emergency Preparedness, to clinical commissioning groups and trust Chief
Executives reiterating the Department’s messaging and outlining the operational response
that NHS England and NHS Improvement are undertaking at a national and regional level
in preparation for a ‘no deal’ EU exit. This latest letter also includes links to
previous correspondence and operational guidance.</p>
|
|
