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16 August 2019Big PharmaSaman Javed

Pharma bodies sign NDAs with UK govt over no-deal Brexit plans

Several pharma bodies have signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) which prevent them from disclosing the UK government’s plans for a no-deal Brexit.

In statements made to LSIPR yesterday, August 15, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee ( PSNC), the British Generic Manufacturers Association ( BGMA) and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry ( ABPI) confirmed that they had signed the NDAs.

In October 2018, the Department of Health and Social Care  asked the bodies to sign NDAs so the government could “talk to the industry in confidence” ahead of a possible no-deal Brexit.

In its request, the  government said it may need to take action to maintain the smooth supply of medicines to UK patients in the event of any disruption at the border.

It said that to be able to plan for this, it will need to share confidential and sensitive information about customs and border arrangements and supply routes.

Warwick Smith, the director general of the BGMA said the NDAs allowed the parties to assess the effectiveness of possible measures and to enable the government to agree the most effective plans.

But, he said as the departure date approaches, it was in the BGMA’s view “more important for the government to publish more detailed information on the planned mitigations as quickly as possible”.

Mike Thompson, the chief executive of ABPI, said it agreed to the NDA to support effective planning, but urged the government to secure a deal.

Thompson said: “Pharmaceutical companies have been doing everything in their power to prepare for Brexit.

“But some things remain outside of our control.  That’s why we continue to reiterate that securing a deal remains the best way to protect patients and public health.”

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