Letter to pharmacists says plans will ‘maximise the ability for supply to continue unimpeded’Plans have been drawn up for the use of alternative transport routes and prioritisation of medicines as part of contingency planning for a no-deal Brexit, pharmacists have been told by the NHS. “In the event of a ‘no-deal’ scenario this additional transport capacity and prioritisation includes prescription-only medicines and pharmacy medicines, general sales list medicines and unlicensed medicines, including specials and investigational medicinal products used in clinical trials and vaccines,” the letter reads. It states that the department has also secured contract agreements for additional warehouse space for stockpiled medicines, including ambient, refrigerated and controlled drug storage. It also advises that participation in clinical research including trials should continue as normal “unless specific instructions from an individual sponsor or formal communications are received”. Simon Dukes, the chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), said that there was “continued pressure on the medicines supply chain” and that the body was working with other organisations and the government to minimise any impact.

Source: The Guardian January 20, 2019 15:30 UTC