The health secretary has told patients and clinicians not to hoard medicines in the run-up to Brexit amid fears that the British public might panic about the supply of prescription drugs.



In a letter to all NHS organisations, GPs and pharmacies demanding a series of preparations for a no-deal Brexit, Matt Hancock threatened to investigate any clinicians who built up unnecessary stocks.

Hancock has, however, authorised pharmaceutical companies to stockpile a six-week inventory of medicines in case supplies are disrupted if Britain leaves the EU without a deal. There have also been warnings that NHS patients may face delays accessing certain treatments in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

In his letter, Hancock wrote: “Hospitals and community pharmacies throughout the UK do not need to take any steps to stockpile additional medicines beyond their business-as-usual stock levels. There is no need for clinicians to write longer NHS prescriptions. Local stockpiling is not necessary and any incidences involving the over-ordering of medicines will be investigated and followed up with the relevant chief or responsible pharmacist directly.

“Clinicians should advise patients that the government has plans in place to ensure a continuous supply of medicines to patients from the moment we leave the EU. Patients will not need and should not seek to store additional medicines at home.”

Hancock disclosed in the letter he had demanded separate arrangements for the air freight of medicines with short shelf lives, such as those used in radiotherapy, such as medical radioisotopes.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which regulates drugs in the UK, will take on the functions of the EU if an agreement is not reached by 29 March. Products will have to go through national assessment before they receive market authorisation to be sold in the UK, according to a technical paper on no-deal Brexit preparations.

Guidance released on Thursday states that “unnecessary complexity” will be avoided by following existing processes.

Steve Bates, the chief executive of the UK BioIndustry Association, said the additional regulatory processes would diminish the UK’s attractiveness for businesses and “likely mean that NHS patients would get access to new therapies later than other countries in Europe”.



Most new medicines come to the market through a licensing route overseen by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). If a deal is not reached, the UK’s participation in the European regulatory network, including centralised routes, will cease, according to the guidance.

Responding to Hancock’s letter, the Labour MP Chuka Umunna told Sky News: “It is unbelievable that we are in a position where we have to stockpile medicines so close to leaving the EU.”

