It’s been suggested that in the event of a no-deal Brexit scenario, medicine shortages and price increases could be seen, with the Healthcare Distribution Association (HAD) now keen to ensure that patients will not struggle to access medication.

Martin Sawer, executive director of the HAD, said: “The potential impact of a ‘no-deal Brexit’ will not just be felt from day one of the UK leaving the European Union, but in the run-up to the UK leaving, if it becomes clearer that a no-deal Brexit is the most likely outcome. Equally, it is unclear how long such effects will continue after Brexit as it will take time for the supply chain to address shortages by sourcing additional stock.”

Leaving without a deal in place could result in patients not being able to access the right medicine at the right time or in the right place, pharmacists wasting time trying to source medication for patients and the NHS having to spend more on buying medicine in the first place.

Almost 50 per cent of the medicines will have passed through an EU country before getting to UK shores and if the cross-border process isn’t easy for medication, the worry is that patients needing critical treatments will feel the impact.

The National Audit Office has just issued a warning that there are risks to our border operations if we do leave the EU without an agreement in place on March 19th next year.

And unfortunately, complex new border controls may not be ready in time for the deadline, with delays for goods crossing the border, more opportunities for tax and regulatory non-compliance and less information to inform checks on those crossing the border.

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