THURSDAY’S EU elections are a chance to protect the NHS, according to Scotland’s Health Secretary.

Jeane Freeman has warned that Brexit poses a major risk to medicine supplies and is already making it harder to attract vital medical staff.

She pointed out that Donald Trump has also demanded that a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK would allow “full market access” for US health products which she said would allow American drug firms to hike up prices.

“We know that Donald Trump wants to use a post-Brexit trade deal to rip up the rulebook and open our NHS to American drug firms,” Freeman said.

“That would mean higher prices for medicine and a worse deal for patients.”

The potential hit to NHS budgets adds to existing concerns that Brexit will have a harmful impact on healthcare. The British Medical Association has said Brexit would be “damaging” for the medical profession, both in the UK and across Europe.

A recent BBC investigation found that health boards across Scotland were concerned about attracting and retaining key and specialist staff as well as access to nuclear material to diagnose and treat cancer, the availability of blood and organs for transplant and the impact on cross-border treatment.

Freeman’s warning came as the SNP stepped up campaigning in the final days before the vote.

“We’re working as hard as possible to mitigate the impact of Brexit on our health service – but any Brexit will have consequences for our NHS,” she said.

“We need to send the strongest possible message that we will not stand for this.

“A vote for the SNP on Thursday will make clear that Scotland will not stand for Brexit.”