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<p>It is a priority of the Department to ensure patients continue to have access to
medicines as we leave the European Union, in all exit scenarios.</p><p>While a Withdrawal
Agreement has been agreed between Government and the European Commission, as a responsible
Government, we continue to prepare proportionately for all scenarios, including the
outcome that we leave the European Union without a deal in March 2019.</p><p>The Department
has issued guidance on 7 December 2018 to all National Health Service trusts, pharmacies
and general practices informing them of our plans for ensuring continuity of supply
of medicines and advising them that they can expect to be able to continue accessing
medicines through their existing supply routes in the event of a ‘no deal’ EU exit
on 29 March 2019. This guidance explained how 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 stock levels. There is also no
need for clinicians to write longer NHS prescriptions. A copy of the Department’s
letter of 7 December to the NHS in England is attached.</p><p>NHS England and the
devolved administrations have also communicated similar messages to the front line
and patients have also been advised not to stockpile medicines. Unnecessary local
stockpiling would increase pressure on the medicines supply chain and could lead to
avoidable shortages and subsequent risks to patients.</p>
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