shutterstock_1117001510_angelsolergollonet
angelsolergollonet / Shutterstock.com
21 August 2019Big PharmaRory O'Neill

UK faces medicine shortages after no deal: leaked govt report

A leaked UK government report reveals that a no deal Brexit may result in shortages of medicines and other pharmaceutical products.

According to the document, the UK Department of Transport has estimated that, in the worst-case scenario, flow rates across the English Channel between the UK and France “could be as low as 40% on day one of no deal”.

“Unmitigated, this will have an impact on the supply of medicines and medical supplies,” the document read.

Significant disruption could last up to six months after the UK leaves the EU without a deal, it suggested.

The leaked report, called Operation Yellowhammer, was obtained and published by the Sunday Times on August 18.

The internal report said the Department of Health was developing a “multi-layered strategy” to deal with the prospect of medicine shortages but did not specify any details.

“It will not be practical to stockpile six months’ supplies,” the report said.

Some pharmaceutical products and medicines cannot be stockpiled due to short shelf lives.

The report said there were multiple risks arising from any prospective shortage in medicines.

“Any disruption that reduces, delays or stops the supply of medicines for UK veterinary use would reduce our ability to prevent and control disease outbreaks, with potential harm to animal health and welfare, the environment and wider food safety and availability, as well as, in the case of zoonotic diseases, posing a risk to human health,” it said.

The UK government’s level of readiness for a no deal Brexit has come under increased scrutiny, particularly as it now seems a more likely scenario under the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Last week, LSIPR  reported that several UK pharmaceutical industry bodies had signed non-disclosure agreements with the British government over its plans for a no deal Brexit.

The government had said in order to plan against potential medicine shortages, it would need to share confidential information about customs and border arrangements.

Did you enjoy reading this story?  Sign up to our free newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.


More on this story

Generics
22 July 2021   In the second of a four-part series, Sophie Topham of Marks & Clerk explains the rules around the exemption for studies, tests, and trials required for generic and biosimilar medicines.
Big Pharma
16 August 2019   Several pharma bodies have signed non-disclosure agreements which prevent them from disclosing the UK government’s plans for a no-deal Brexit.
Big Pharma
3 September 2019   Leaving the EU without a deal in place could “irreparably” harm the UK’s National Health Service and lead to delays in new products being bought to market in the country, according to the British Medical Association.

More on this story

Generics
22 July 2021   In the second of a four-part series, Sophie Topham of Marks & Clerk explains the rules around the exemption for studies, tests, and trials required for generic and biosimilar medicines.
Big Pharma
16 August 2019   Several pharma bodies have signed non-disclosure agreements which prevent them from disclosing the UK government’s plans for a no-deal Brexit.
Big Pharma
3 September 2019   Leaving the EU without a deal in place could “irreparably” harm the UK’s National Health Service and lead to delays in new products being bought to market in the country, according to the British Medical Association.