SCOTLAND’S chief medical officer has warned shortages of medicines “may occur” in the wake of a no-deal Brexit but said people should not stockpile drugs.
Dr Catherine Calderwood said members of the public – as well as GPs, pharmacies and hospitals – should not try to build up their own supply of medication.
She issued the advice in a letter sent to NHS board chief executives, local authority leaders and the leaders of integration authorities.
Calderwood sent the letter along with the chief pharmaceutical officer Rose Marie Parr to outline efforts from the Scottish Government together with other administrations to deal with potential drug shortages.
“Additional steps have now been taken to prepare for the risk that a no-deal exit will lead to more shortages than are normally experienced,” they said.
The pair stressed that pharmaceutical firms had built up stockpiles of some medicines and that supplies of medical devices had been built up.
“Arrangements are also being made to transport into the UK, including by air, items that cannot be stockpiled,” they said.
The letter also stated that if Brexit led to delays of goods at the UK border, “medical supplies will be given priority for entry into the UK”.
They added: “Members of the public, GPs, community pharmacies and hospitals should not stockpile.
“Shortages may occur but the NHS will manage the situation and if necessary provide suitable alternatives or other treatment while supply is restored to normal levels.
“Prescribers do not need to anything new at this moment in time. Members of the public, GPs, community pharmacies and hospitals should not stockpile medicines.”
But Scottish LibDem health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “My constituents are worried that they will not get their medicine.”
He added: “Any Brexit will be bad for our NHS, whether it be by crashing out without a deal or cutting off the precious supply of European workers who support patients in our health service.
“This has to go back to the people for a People’s Vote, lives are at stake.”
Dr Lewis Morrison, who is the chair of BMA’s Scottish Council, welcomed the reassurance but expressed his frustration that such clarifications were required.
He said: “The fact that action is being taken to prepare for any potential shortages of medicine is welcome, however it is simply unbelievable and, frankly, totally unacceptable that it has even come to this. It is yet another example of the devastating impact Brexit will have on our healthcare system.
“While it is important plans like this are made, it is hard to be reassured given the very substantial amount of confusion and uncertainty that remain over many aspects of Brexit.”
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