People relying on EU medicine to survive say their lives are at risk of a no-deal

People relying on EU medicine to survive have put a black dot on their Twitter handle to show the government their lives are ‘at risk by Brexit’.

Thousands of people are warning Boris Johnson they could die if a no-deal Brexit triggers medicine shortages.

Last week health unions warned that crashing out of the EU without a deal could ‘devastate’ the NHS and disrupt the supply of life-saving medicines for up to six months.

A writer with the Twitter handle ‘GirloftheN’ said she depended on three medicines to survive and encouraged others in her position to share their stories using hashtag ‘death by Brexit’.




She said: ‘I am prescribed three medicines without which I would die. I have put a black spot by my name to show that the government has decided to put my life at risk from Brexit.

‘So many of us are in a similar boat. Many other people have chronic conditions which are fine when treated, but become very disabling when meds aren’t available. Even OTC meds are vital. I’m not scaremongering. The govt now admits the risks to us, but intends to do it anyway.’

So many of us are in a similar boat. Many other people have chronic conditions which are fine when treated, but become very disabling when meds aren’t available. Even OTC meds are vital. I’m not scaremongering. The govt now admits the risks to us, but intends to do it anyway. — 🔸⚫️ Writer in Pyjamas #StoptheCoup #DeathByBrexit (@GirloftheN) September 6, 2019

#Deathbybrexit began trending on Twitter this morning, with thousands of people dependent on life-saving medicine coming forward to share their stories.

Several of those tweeting said they had type one diabetes, which is treated with insulin made in the EU.

Patients with epilepsy, cancer, asthma and other rare conditions said they worried about their health deteriorating after Brexit and accused the government of deliberately putting their lives at risk by pursuing a no-deal.

One person tweeted: ‘I have a prosthetic heart valve and rely on medication to function and survive. I now have a black spot by my name to show that the government has decided to put my life at risk from Brexit.’

Another said: ‘My insulin is made in the EU, and if I don’t get it, then I’m good as gone. I can only stockpile for so long. After that it’s a slow and miserable time without it. But hey, you all get your blue passports. #DeathByBrexit’.

Will you be affected by medicine shortages? Email faye.brown@metro.co.uk

As a person that has epilepsy and has to take several types of drug to stop my seizures. They way the government are handling brexit will affect my life and medication. Adopting ⚫️ to raise awareness that the government has put my life at risk from brexit #DeathByBrexit — ⚫️ Chris Sharp (@chrissharp86) September 7, 2019

I have added a black spot to my profile because I have auto-immune hypothyroidism. I need thyroxine everyday. If I don't get it I will become ill and eventually I will fall into a coma and die. #DeathByBrexit — Socialist Suzy ⚘⚘⚫ (@SocialistSuzy) September 7, 2019

#DeathByBrexit I've got a condition which means I only have half of my heart, a shortage of medicine will give me either a major stroke or heart attack, but the PM is absolutely fine with risking millions of lives for his no deal pic.twitter.com/fG8CjqfMIz — sam™️ (@sam_trademark) September 7, 2019

I have type 1 diabetes. The insulin that keeps me alive is made in the EU. I've added a black spot to my name to show that the government has decided to put my life at risk from brexit ⚫#DeathByBrexit — ⚫ Antonio Barbaro (@AntonioBarbaro) September 7, 2019

Boris Johnson has been unrelenting in his ‘do or die’ pledge to leave the EU by October 31.

He refused to back down even after a humiliating week which saw opposition MPs take control of the Commons and pass a bill that would make a no-deal Brexit illegal without parliamentary approval.

The Benn-Burt bill is expected to be given formal Royal Ascent on Monday – but Boris Johnson suggested he would be prepared to ignore the legislation if it meant achieving his goal of leaving the EU by October 31.

The legislation orders the Government to ask for a Brexit delay until January 31 next year, should no agreement be reached by October 19 and MPs not deciding to back a no-deal.

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Some twitter users have branded the #deathbyBrexit campaign as a scaremongering tactic.



But experts from 11 bodies including the British Medical Association, have said post-Brexit medicine shortages could be fatal as many vital drugs, including those used for cancer treatment, can’t be stockpiled.

Their joint warning followed the leak of a government dossier in August which revealed ministers were expecting three months of food, fuel and medicine shortages in the event of no-deal.

Supporting the #DeathbyBrexit campaign, Remain activist Femi Oluwole said: ‘The highest UK medical authorities say a No-Deal Brexit would be a catastrophe for the NHS. (you know, the main thing that saves lives) The highest police authorities in Northern Ireland say a No-Deal Brexit is a definite security risk. #DeathByBrexit is more than a hashtag.’

The highest UK medical authorities say a No-Deal Brexit would be a catastrophe for the NHS. (you know, the main thing that saves lives) The highest police authorities in Northern Ireland say a No-Deal Brexit is a definite security risk.#DeathByBrexit is more than a hashtag. pic.twitter.com/ecjGrpBIXw — Femi (@Femi_Sorry) September 7, 2019

I have a prosthetic heart valve and rely on medication to function and survive. I now have a black spot by my name to show that the government has decided to put my life at risk from Brexit. ⚫️#DeathByBrexit — Marty Fufkin (@MartyFufkin) September 7, 2019

⚫️ I am on long term cancer drugs & pain relief, my younger sister has terminal metastatic cancer. Any delays or halts to supplies will mean we suffer needlessly.#DeathByBrexit — mrscheese (@mrscheesie) September 7, 2019

As a type 1 diabetic, I am prescribed two forms of insulin without which I will die. It is manufactured and imported from the EU. I have put a black dot in my name to show that UK government has decided to put my life at risk in favour of Brexit. Bump in the road?#DeathByBrexit — ⚫ Matt Hill (@MTIH1992) September 7, 2019