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<p>The Department fully understands that maintaining access to insulin is vitally
important to many people in this country.</p><p>The Government remains committed to
leaving the European Union with a deal. We have now reached agreement with the EU
on an extension to the Article 50 period until 31 October at the latest, with the
option to leave earlier as soon as a Withdrawal Agreement has been ratified.</p><p>Under
the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, there will be an implementation period running
till the end of 2020, during which there will be no changes to the current trading
arrangements with the EU. Therefore, if the Withdrawal Agreement is ratified, the
supply of medicines will continue on the same basis it does now during this period.</p><p>Leaving
without a deal remains the legal default at the end of the extension period if no
Withdrawal Agreement is agreed. Therefore, as a responsible Government, we will continue
to prepare to minimise any disruption to the supply of medicines and medical products
in a potential ‘no deal’ scenario.</p><p>We are continuing to work with trade bodies
and other stakeholders to review the position carefully before sharing further guidance
at the earliest opportunity. Stockpiled medicines were not procured by the Department
as part of our ‘no deal’ plans and remain the property of medicines suppliers. On
26 April we wrote to pharmaceutical companies, including those who supply insulin,
asking in the meantime, that all ‘no deal’ measures (such as stockpiles, additional
buffer stocks etc) should remain in place but on hold until further guidance is available.</p><p>We
are confident that if everyone, including suppliers, freight companies, our European
neighbours, and the health and care system, does what they need to do, the supply
of medicines and medical products should be uninterrupted in the event we leave the
EU without a deal.</p>
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