The effective movement of medicines across the European Union border to the UK is ‘vital’, according to Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) president Ash Soni.

 

The RPS is engaging with regulators and the NHS to ‘minimise any potential disruption’ to the medicines supply chain, according to Mr Soni.

 

It follows reports that stockpiling medicines could occur in the case of a no-Brexit deal. Mr Soni said that potential supply issues were ‘a concern widely recognised’ across the whole healthcare sector.

 

‘Patient health is paramount and we agree with the Government that patients in the UK and across the EU should continue to be able to access the best and most innovative medicines,’ he said.

 

‘Due to the complex and integrated nature of medicine supply chains, if patients in the UK are to continue to receive medicines they need quickly, it’s vital there is effective movement of pharmaceuticals and medical devices across borders with the European Union.’

 

Support for EMA

 

The RPS also welcomed the Government’s intention for the UK to continue subscribing to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) following a parliamentary vote last week where MPs voted to take ‘all necessary steps’ to participate.

 

It follows the launch of a new Brexit forum by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), featuring the chief executives of the major representative bodies in community pharmacy and the medicines supply chain.

 

The forum will ‘provide a platform for stakeholders to share thoughts and compile advice for community pharmacy teams’, according to PSNC. This will include issues such as the regulatory framework and access to medicines.

 

The forum, set up at the PSNC’s July meeting, will include representatives from the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp), the RPS, the Pharmacists’ Defence Association, the Dispensing Doctors Association and the Healthcare Distribution Association.

 

The PSNC has also called for any other representative organisations wishing to join to get in contact with their director of operations and support, Gordon Hockey.