Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to protect the supply and space for storage of medicines, equipment and consumables required for the treatment of kidney disease patients in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

As part of a responsible Government, the Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for European Union exit. We want to reassure patients that we should be fully prepared for leaving on 31 October, and that our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and medical products remains uninterrupted when we leave the EU.

The Department is implementing a multi-layered approach, which consists of stockpiling where possible, securing freight capacity, changing or clarifying regulatory requirements, procuring additional warehousing, working closely with industry to improve trader readiness and putting in place the National Supply Disruption Response to manage potential shortages. This should ensure the continuity of supply of medicines and medical products following EU exit.

The scope includes medicines, medical devices and clinical consumables, including those related to the treatment of kidney disease.