Asked by: Emma Dent Coad (Labour - Kensington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
What recent assessment he has made of the effect on the NHS of the UK leaving the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
As a responsible Government, we are continuing to prepare for all eventualities. We have put detailed ‘no deal’ contingency plans in place for the continuity of supply of medicines and medical products, continuity of reciprocal healthcare arrangements, and the health and social care workforce.
We recognise that a ‘no deal’ exit would affect a wide range of areas across the health and care system, and the Department is working hard to mitigate these risks.
We are asking the National Health Service, and everyone in the health and social care system, to continue their planning. We are confident that if everyone does what they need to do, the potential risks of leaving without a deal can be mitigated successfully.
Asked by: Emma Dent Coad (Labour - Kensington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2019 to Question 215257, on NHS: drugs, what information his Department holds on the level of medicine shortages in the last 12 months.
Answered by Steve Brine
Medicines shortages are a routine issue that the Department constantly manages. The Department works closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the pharmaceutical industry, NHS England and others operating in the supply chain to ensure that the risks to patients are minimised when they do arise.
The Department receives regular reports from the pharmaceutical industry about impending medicine supply issues that may affect United Kingdom patients. From January 2019, it became a mandatory requirement that the pharmaceutical industry must report this information to us in a timely manner. However, not all the issues of which the Department are notified will result in a medicine shortage as the supply team will work behind the scenes using a host of tools to help mitigate and prevent an issue from impacting patients.
Asked by: Emma Dent Coad (Labour - Kensington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the frequency with which pharmacies and hospitals experience drug shortages.
Answered by Steve Brine
The production of medicines is complex and highly regulated and materials and processes must meet rigorous safety and quality standards.
The Department has well established processes to manage and mitigate the small number of medicines shortages that may arise due to manufacturing or distribution issues.
It should be noted that over two million prescription items are dispensed in England every day and the vast majority are not subject to supply problems.
Our number one priority is to ensure the continued supply of medicines which is why we continue to work closely with industry and partners in the health system to help prevent shortages and to ensure that the risks to patients are minimised when they do arise.