UK audit body finds no-deal Brexit drug supply preparation lacking

The UK National Audit Office (NAO) has released a report on the status of medicine supply after a no-deal Brexit, finding that there is still a “significant amount” of work to do.

According to the review, any extra freight capacity offered by the British government to ensure drug provision to the country would only be operational at the end of November. This would leave the UK without a full drug supply for a month following Brexit on 31 October.

The report also highlighted that there are “real risks” involved, with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) deficient in information about medicine stockpiling. Out of the 12,300 medicines with marketing authorisation in the UK, 7,000 are imported from the EU.  

Dr Richard Torbett, Executive Director of Commercial Policy at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), said: “Pharmaceutical companies have been doing everything in their power to prepare for Brexit, including increasing stocks and planning alternative supply routes where possible. But as the NAO sets out, some things are outside of their control.

“We have been working closely with Government on the contingency plans outlined in this report. Prioritising medicines on Government-secured freight capacity is an important part of these plans. We reiterate the need for companies to get the detail of how to access this capacity as soon as possible.”