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Health Secretary warns more needs to be done to stockpile medicines in case of no-deal Brexit

Warning: Health secretary Matt Hancock says more needs to be done on medicine stockpiling (PA)
Warning: Health secretary Matt Hancock says more needs to be done on medicine stockpiling (PA)

Britain’s health secretary has warned that some stockpiling of medicines does not go far enough in case of a no-deal Brexit.

In a letter to health and care sector professionals, Matt Hancock praised the efforts so far to stockpile medicines.

But he added that more may need to be done in case Britain drops out of the European Union without any negotiated settlement.

His is the latest warning amid many, that Britain could face serious economic and social issues in the immediate aftermath of any no-deal Brexit.

Medicines may be flown in after Brexit (PA)
Medicines may be flown in after Brexit (PA)

‘In areas where we cannot tolerate significant risk to the flow of goods, such as with medicines and medical products, we need to have contingency plans in place for this worst-case planning assumption,’ Hancock wrote.

‘This means that whilst the six-week stockpiling activities remain a critical part of our contingency plans, this now needs to be supplemented with additional actions.’

He also said the government is buying refrigeration units to enable some drugs to be stored.

Speaking on BBC radio on Friday, he added that preparations are being made to fly medicines in and fast-track trucks with medical supplies.

Mr Hancock also warned supermarkets they should keep their warehouses full.

We are working on ensuring that we have aviation capacity,’ he said.

‘If there is a serious disruption at the border, we will have prioritization — and prioritization will include medicines and medical devices.’

He added that the contingency plans showed that people should back the Brexit deal negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May.

His warnings came on the same day as ministers said Dover and other Channel ports face disruption for up to six months if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

There have also been warnings about traffic issues around Kent ports (PA)
There have also been warnings about traffic issues around Kent ports (PA)

And Kent County Council warned that dead bodies may remain uncollected and children might miss exams due to gridlocked roads in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

This follows from dire warnings last week by the Bank of England over a possible no-deal, dismissed as scare stories by those who back a hard Brexit.

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