No deal Brexit preparation beings by stockpiling drugs

The NHS in England is preparing for a ‘no deal’ Brexit by beginning to stockpile medicines and blood products, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.

Speaking to the Commons Health Select Committee, Hancock said that, although he was confident a deal would be reached, it remained ‘responsible’ to prepare for all outcomes and has already met with medical industry leaders to ‘accelerate’ preparations.

With both the government and the EU insisting that they want to avoid a ‘no deal’ Brexit, Hancock stressed that the government was preparing to ensure that ‘people's health will be safeguarded’ in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

He said: “We are working right across government to ensure that the health sector and the industry are prepared. This includes the chain of medical supplies, vaccines, medical devices, clinical consumables, blood products. And I have asked the department to work up options for stockpiling by industry. We are working with industry for the potential need for stockpiling in the event of a no-deal Brexit."

Justin Madders, the Labour Shadow Health Secretary, said: "We need a Brexit deal which puts patients first but now we know that the NHS is having to stockpile medicines because of this government's chaotic handling of Brexit. This is the terrifying reality of this government's failure to prioritise the NHS in the Brexit negotiations."