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<p>We understand that epilepsy medicines are vitally important to many people in this
country. Our contingency plans aim to ensure that the supply of epilepsy medicines
and other essential medicines to patients is not disrupted in all European Union exit
scenarios, including a ‘no deal’ exit.</p><p> </p><p>That is why on 23 August 2018,
the Department wrote to all pharmaceutical companies that supply prescription only
medicines and pharmacy medicines to the United Kingdom that come from, or via, the
EU or European Economic Area (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>We followed that up on 7 December 2018 when the Department wrote
to pharmaceutical companies that supply licensed medicines to the UK from or via the
EU/EEA, and/or manufacture medicines in the UK, informing them of the updated reasonable
worst-case scenario border planning assumptions and asking them about their current
transportation routes and their ability to re-route their supply chains if they currently
rely on Dover and/or Folkestone.</p><p> </p><p>In response to those communications
we have received very good engagement from industry, including companies supplying
epilepsy medicines to the UK, who share our aims of ensuring continuity of medicines
supply 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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