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<p>The Department fully understands that maintaining access to treatments for epilepsy
and bipolar disorder 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.
We are considering what impact this longer extension may have on our EU exit preparations,
and are working closely with our stakeholders to review our position.</p><p>While
we never give guarantees, we are confident that if everyone does what they need to
do, the supply of medicines and medical products including treatments for epilepsy
and bipolar disorder should be uninterrupted in the event we leave the EU without
a deal.</p><p>The Department has a long-established pharmacist-led team and dedicated
processes to deal with medicine shortages, whatever the cause. This team works closely
with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the pharmaceutical industry,
NHS England and others in the supply chain to help prevent shortages and to ensure
that the risks to patients are minimised when they do arise.</p>
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