NAO report reveals gaps in No deal Brexit prep for the UK

With just one month to go until the UK is scheduled to leave the EU, the National Audit Office (NAO) reports that a no deal Brexit could still threaten medicine supplies to the NHS and care homes despite the governments preparedness programme.
The Department of Health and Social Care estimates that 7,000 of the 12,300 medicines used within the UK come from or via the EU. Whilst the NAO recognise the ‘great deal of work’ that has already been undertaken by the Government and pharma industry, in stock piling up to 6 weeks’ worth of drugs and other medical products (including gloves and syringes), it says there are still a lot of work to do. It claims that 72% of the medicinal products have 6 weeks’ worth of stock available, but the supplies for social care has currently not been stock piled to similar rates. If this is not addressed, it could create problems for the home care sector after Brexit.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said “We are doing everything we can to make sure patients have access to medicines they need after Brexit on 31st October. As the NAO recognises, we along with pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers have mounted an unprecedented response in stockpiling substantial quantities of medicines. This combined with other measures (including new transport routes,) we can help to ensure patients that they will continue to receive the highest quality of care.”