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<p>Our number one priority is to ensure patients continue to have unhindered access
to medicines as we exit the European Union and we are working with all sectors in
the supply chain to ensure this happens.</p><p> </p><p>We understand that medicines
for rheumatoid arthritis are vitally important to many people in this country. Our
‘no deal’ medicines supply contingency plans include sensible mitigations for medicines
that come to the United Kingdom from or via the EU/European Economic Area (EEA) to
ensure that the supply of essential medicines, including medicines for patients with
rheumatoid arthritis, is not disrupted.</p><p> </p><p>In August 2018, the Department
wrote to all pharmaceutical companies that supply prescription-only and pharmacy medicines,
including those for rheumatoid arthritis, to the UK that come from, or via, the EU/EEA
asking them to ensure a minimum of six weeks’ additional supply in the UK, over and
above existing business-as-usual buffer stocks, by 29 March 2019.</p><p> </p><p>On
7 December, the Government published updated reasonable worst-case scenario border
disruption planning assumptions in the event of a ‘no deal’ EU exit. Medicines and
medical products are prioritised in cross-Government planning, and the Department
is working with relevant partners across Government and industry to ensure we have
sufficient roll-on, roll-off freight capacity on alternative routes to enable these
vital products to continue to move freely into the UK.</p><p> </p><p>Throughout enacting
our plans, we have received very good engagement from industry, including on their
plans to stockpile medicines. They share our aims of ensuring that the continuity
of supply of medicines and medical products for patients is maintained and able to
cope with any potential delays at the border that may arise in the short term in the
event of a ‘no deal’ EU exit.</p>
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