Three-quarters of medicines’ come to the UK from the EU, according to the Yellowhammer papers (Picture: Rex/Getty)

Leading cancer charities have expressed their alarm that a no-deal Brexit could have a grave impact on ‘lifesaving research’ to treat childhood cancers.

It comes after the publication of the government’s Yellowhammer papers, which warned that medicines would be ‘particularly vulnerable to severe delays’ in the event of Britain crashing out of the EU without a deal.

The documents also highlighted that ‘three-quarters of medicines’ come from the EU.

Cancer charities are now calling on the government to take steps to ensure the ‘supply of medicines and lifesaving research’ which are so vital to treating children’s cancers, are not harmed by a no-deal Brexit, after Boris Johnson reaffirmed his commitment to leaving the EU with or without a deal on October 31.




Cancer research UK says that more than a quarter of the clinical trials that it funds involved at least one other EU country, which are ‘particularly important for rare and children’s cancers’.

The charity’s head of policy, Emlyn Samuel, told Metro.co.uk: ‘It’s imperative that a “no-deal” Brexit does not disrupt the supply of medicines and medicinal products to the UK, or threaten vital international research collaboration.

‘More than a quarter of the clinical trials that Cancer Research UK funds involve at least one other EU country, and these are particularly important for rare and children’s cancers.

More than a quarter of clinical trials for rare and children’s cancers involve at least one other EU country (Picture: Getty Images)

‘The Government is putting contingency plans in place to minimise disruption. But despite these measures, the scale of this challenge means that some risks inevitably remain.

‘Whatever the outcome on 31 October, the Government must take action to ensure that people with cancer are protected.’

Children with Cancer UK has echoed those calls and is calling on the government to prevent any damage to ‘essential lifesaving research’ which is ‘vital to improving survival rates’.

Acting CEO Mark Brider said: ‘Like most medical research charities, Children with Cancer UK works closely with European counterparts to research and develop new and better treatments.

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‘Childhood cancers are very different to those found in adults, but all too often doctors have to rely upon treatments designed for adults.

‘This can leave children facing lifelong health problems as their small bodies struggle to cope with toxic medicines.

‘Research into childhood cancer is vital to improving survival rates as well as quality of survival for the 4,500 children and young people diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year.

‘Whilst we don’t yet know what the full impact will be on new and ongoing studies, we would be concerned if a no deal Brexit caused significant delay to this essential lifesaving research.’

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A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘We want patients to be able to access the best and most innovative medicine.

‘Our ability to participate in multinational trials will not change after leaving the EU and as part of exit negotiations, we are working to ensure that we continue to have the best possible environment for clinical trials.

‘We want to reassure the public that we are working closely with partners across the health and care system and industry to take all appropriate steps to prepare for Brexit on 31 October, whatever the circumstances.’

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