Advertisement

'Unorderly' Brexit could cause 'severe disruption to life saving medicines', pharma bosses warn

EU chief negotiation Michael Barnier and Brexit secretary David Davis in Brussels on Monday (Picture: Rex)
EU chief negotiation Michael Barnier and Brexit secretary David Davis were sent the stark letter (Picture: Rex)

Some of Europe’s leading pharmaceutical and medical experts have warned that an ‘unorderly’ Brexit could cause severe problems in supplying life-saving medicines to seriously ill people across Europe.

In an open letter to Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, and David Davis, the UK’s Brexit Secretary, leading figures from the European and British pharmaceutical and life science industry stressed the need for ongoing cooperation between the UK and EU on medicines.

They claim that Brexit could be responsible for causing unnecessary delays in supplying life saving medicines with medicines getting stuck at borders.

‘In the case of an unorderly withdrawal there is a risk that all goods due to be moved between the UK and EU could be held either at border checks, in warehouses or manufacturing and/or subject to extensive retesting requirements,’ they wrote in the letter.

Brexit Secretary David Davis rejected suggestions that Britain would be paying a huge EU divorce bill (Rex)
Brexit Secretary David Davis is in charge of negotiations for the UK (Rex)

‘In fact, this would lead to a severe disruption of most companies’ supply chains, which would lead to potential supply disruptions of life-saving medicines.’

The letter, which was backed by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), also claimed that Brexit could have implications for drug testing.

‘Withdrawal would mean a loss of capacity and expertise for the network for the review of medicines as well as the capacity across Europe for the surveillance and safety supervision of products’, the letter stated.

MORE: Britain takes step towards Brexit with repeal bill
MORE: Jeremy Corbyn: Labour is ready to negotiate Brexit

‘UK based Qualified Persons Responsible for Pharmacovigilance (QPPV) would need to be relocated, trained or replaced. This would have an overall impact on the running of the systems that ensure the safety and efficacy of medicines treating EU patients.’

The latest warning on the potential effects of Brexit comes after Michel Barnier recently warned Theresa May that the ‘clock is ticking’ on reaching a trade agreement.