The College has responded to a joint letter from the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer in Scotland, which has been issued to health and social care professionals providing them with further advice on ensuring medicine supplies in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.
The letter outlines what steps are being taken in Scotland to ensure continuity of supply of medicines and medical devices and to support prescribers if shortages arise.
Professor Derek Bell, College President, said:
Our Fellows and Members have deep concerns about the supply of medicines, vaccines and medical devices, as the possibility of a no deal Brexit looms ever closer. If the UK does leave the EU without a deal, it is absolutely vital that the health system has the support it needs to cope with any shortages and delays at ports of entry. Our preference would be for an outcome which does not put in jeopardy the supply of vital medicines and vaccines, which millions of people in the UK rely upon every day.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, new controls on the entry of goods from the EU into the UK will need to be introduced. This may cause delays at ports of entry and a slow-down in the flow of medicines and medicine supplies into the UK.
1. A joint letter from the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer on medicine supplies can be found of the Scottish Government website: https://news.gov.scot/resources/letter-from-the-chief-medical-officer-and-the-chief-pharmaceutical-officer
2. Read more from the College on Brexit on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/college/college-issues-brexit-health-update
