Patients could find that supplies of their medicines will be
disrupted when the UK leaves the EU, according to the Brexit
Health Alliance in a briefing paper published today, which is
calling on both sides to put patients first.
The Alliance brings together the NHS, medical research, industry,
patients and public health organisations to safeguard the
interests of patients and the healthcare and research they rely
on.
Titled “Brexit and the impact on patient access to medicines and
medical technologies”, it warns that unless a deal is reached
medicines and medical technologies could be delayed or even
become unavailable to patients.
In an example, the Brexit Health Alliance is warning that up to
120,000 prostate cancer patients throughout Europe could be
affected if Brexit negotiations fail to find a solution for
future cooperation between the UK and the EU on regulation and
trade of medicines and medical devices.
A prostate cancer medicine, made in a highly sophisticated
process in the UK and used in 80 countries including all of
Europe, is one of many medicines that risks supply disruption
from a “no deal” scenario.
The future of research into new medicines and medical
technologies could also be affected. Around 750 UK-led clinical
trials including multiple EU member states could be at risk if
there is no plan on how to approve and manage these
multi-national trials with European partners after March 2019.
The aim of the Brexit Health Alliance is to secure a cooperation
agreement between the UK and the EU on regulation of medicines
and medical devices.
Niall Dickson, co-chair of the Brexit Health Alliance, said:
“It is critical that UK and EU patients do not lose out on the
best treatments and medical devices as the UK leaves the EU.
“We want to make sure that patients continue to benefit from
early access to new health technologies and cutting-edge
medicines, and that includes being able to take part in
international clinical trials.
“This can be achieved if will is there – what patients need is
maximum co-operation and alignment between the EU and the UK on
the regulation of medicines and medical devices and we very much
welcome the UK Government’s commitment to close collaboration
with our European partners.
“Let’s put patients first - both the UK Government and European
Commission must make this cooperation priority in the interests
of UK and EU patients.”
Aisling Burnand, Chief Executive of the Association of Medical
Research Charities, said:
“It is vital that the health of patients is prioritised in the
second phase of negotiations. If not, patients in the UK and the
EU could face delays in accessing potentially life-saving
treatments. Officials on both sides of the negotiating table must
have patients’ best interests at heart and ensure safety
considerations are paramount.”
Brexit Health Alliance
Medical Research Briefing.pdf
