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Hancock confirms NHS will not need to stockpile vital medicines for ‘no-deal Brexit’

NHS organisations will not need to spend extra cash stockpiling on medicines in the event of the UK leaving the EU with no deal in place, the health and social care secretary has said.

In a letter released today, Matt Hancock said local stockpiling “is not necessary” and noted that the DHSC has “robust plans” in place to protect patient safety and healthcare provision.

Health bosses have continuously raised concerns about the impact of a no-deal Brexit on the UK’s health industry: on Tuesday a leaked email from NHS Providers highlighted the industry’s concern over the government’s “radio silence” and potential shortage of drugs after a no-deal Brexit. Earlier this month the provider serving Brexit secretary Dominic Raab’s constituency, Kingston Hospital NHS FT, warned that Brexit “will break the NHS.”

But Hancock did his best to quell those fears in the letter today. He said the government has set out a new scheme to ensure a “sufficient and seamless” supply of medicines in the UK in the event of a no-deal, noting that the UK will ensure it has an additional six weeks’ supply of medicines (on top of their own normal stock levels) for the possible event that imports from the EU through certain routes are affected.

The scheme will also include separate arrangements for the air freight of short-life medicines such as medical radioisotopes.

“Hospitals, GPs and community pharmacies throughout the UK do not need to take any steps to stockpile additional medicines, beyond their business as usual stock levels,” Hancock wrote.

“There is also no need for clinicians to write longer NHS prescriptions. Local stockpiling is not necessary and any incidences involving the over ordering of medicines will be investigated and followed up with the relevant chief or responsible pharmacist directly.”

The secretary of state also alluded to any implications of a no-deal Brexit on the health sector: he reiterated that the Home Office has recently launched a toolkit to assist employers in reassuring and supporting NHS EU citizens already residing in the UK and their dependants to apply for settled status.

He referenced the recent government announcement that doctors and nurses are now exempt from the cap on skilled worker visas, and added that the Treasury is extending the government’s guarantee of EU funding to underwrite the UK’s allocation for projects under the EU budget period to 2020.

Hancock wrote: “The government has made significant progress in negotiations with the EU and remains confident we will leave with a good deal for both sides, that supports existing and future healthcare collaboration.

“However, as a responsible government, we continue to prepare proportionately for all scenarios, including the unlikely outcome that we leave the EU without any deal in March 2019.”

‘We cannot afford to get this wrong’

Niall Dickson, co-chair of the Brexit Health Alliance and chief executive of NHS Confederation, said the NHS will now want to see more “comprehensive operational advice” on issues such as the stockpiling of medicines and equipment, medical research and public health— in time for them to take robust action before the UK leaves the EU.

Dickson added: “As we have seen time and again, the NHS is fantastic when it comes to dealing with emergencies and with the right planning and support at national level it can deal with this challenge.  These are unprecedented times and it is critically important everyone responsible for front line care is given the tools they need to deliver.

“Of course the real prize must be no disruption in supply to or from the UK - it may be acceptable  to argue about delays to some consumer products at the border - it cannot be acceptable when patients lives are put at risk. We cannot afford to get this wrong.”

Warwick Smith, director general of the British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) and the British Biosimilars Association (BBA), said: "We have been discussing with the Government for some time how to ensure that the medicines supply chain continues to operate effectively in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

“Clearly, the complex nature of the manufacture and supply of medicines in Europe means that they and their constituent parts may cross many borders before reaching patients. A deal between the UK and the EU27 to maintain these free flows is obviously the only way to ensure that the supply of medicines is not disrupted.”

Andrew McCracken from National Voices, the leading coalition of 160 health and care charities, last month looked at the potential impact and ramifications of the UK’s Brexit decision on the sector.