Temporary medicines export ban could stop Brexit medicines shortage, ABPI suggests

A temporary ban on drugs exports could prevent the NHS from being hit by shortages during a no-deal Brexit, according to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

Speaking to the BBC, the ABPI said that instead of selling to the NHS, pharmaceutical manufacturers may be enticed to sell medicines overseas. This could occur if the pound suffered a drop in value during a no-deal Brexit.

The government has asked pharmaceutical manufacturers in the UK to stockpile an additional six weeks’ worth of medicines in an effort to counter potential border delays.

Speaking about the work pharmaceutical companies have done to work against a no deal Brexit, Mike Thompson chief executive of the ABPI said:

“Pharmaceutical companies have done everything in their power to prepare for a ‘no deal’ Brexit. This includes increasing stocks of medicines, changing and adding new supply routes and duplicating manufacturing processes here and in Europe.

"Despite these efforts, we have always said that in a ‘no deal’ scenario we could face the very real possibility of disruption to the supply of some medicines.”

When speaking to the BBC, the ABPI said that more action is needed to ensure that pharmaceutical exporters aren’t persuaded to sell products into Europe.

The ABPI now wants a temporary export ban on certain medicines. This would stop the practice of “parallel trade” in which buyers resell goods from manufacturers to countries in which they were not originally intended for.  

The practice is used to take advantage of fluctuating prices in the market.

A Department of Health and Social care spokesperson told the BBC: "We are aware of concerns raised about this issue and continue to work closely with the NHS, industry and the supply chain to ensure patients continue to access medicines in the same way they do now - whatever the EU exit outcome."