Brexit contingency plans for epilepsy medication
In August 2018, the Government asked pharmaceutical companies to ensure they have a minimum six week stockpile of prescription-only and pharmacy-only medicines in case of potential delays at UK borders after Brexit on 31 October 2019.
We have contacted pharmaceutical companies in the UK to find out what their individual contingency plans are. Their responses are detailed in the table below.
Epilepsy Society's Medical Director, Professor Ley Sander has also advised people with epilepsy not to stockpile medication themselves.
"There is a lot of anxiety about supply of medication post Brexit and some people are finding ways to try to stockpile medicines themselves," he said.
"We understand people's concerns, however this has the potential to create a shortage of medication itself. It is important for everyone to stay calm and follow their normal routine when it comes to getting a repeat prescription.
"The contingency plans put in place by the Department of Health and Social Care are the most effective way to ensure that everyone has a consistent supply of their medication."
Serious shortage protocol
The Government has also confirmed that epilepsy medicines will be exempt from its serious shortage protocol. This will give pharmacists power to dispense alternative drugs if those prescribed by GPs are in short supply at any time, including during the possibility of a 'no-deal Brexit' scenario after Britain leaves the EU.
If there is a shortage of a particular epilepsy medication, clinicians would advise the most appropriate course of action. Where necessary, the Department of Health and Social Care would seek to access the medication from an alternative source.
Find out more below on Brexit contingency plans for epilepsy medications from pharmaceutical companies.
Lamictal (lamotrigine) dispersible tablets
Company: Glaxo-Smith Kline (GSK)
Dosage: 2mg, 5mg, 25mg and 100mg
Contingency Plan:
Update 23/9/19: "Throughout the Brexit process, GSK’s priority has been to maintain the continuity of supply of medicines, vaccines and healthcare products for patients and consumers. To minimise the potential for disruption to supply when the UK exits the EU, we started preparing for Brexit immediately following the referendum result. We took a risk-based approach to mitigation, preparing for all scenarios including no deal.
The bulk of our new post-Brexit operating model is now in place, and arrangements linked to customs and borders are ready to be implemented as the UK leaves the EU. There is a fair amount of detail outlined in our annual report (p36) on the specific activities we undertook, including expanding our ability to conduct re-testing and certification of medicines, amending manufacturing and importation licences, updating packaging, securing additional warehousing and transferring Marketing Authorisation Holders to EU regulators for EU supply. Our operating model includes robust forecasting, control of our stock and additional warehouse capacity in the UK. We have adjusted safety stock levels and identified alternative transportation routes that avoid the busy short straits crossing between the UK and EU, which we’ll utilise to mitigate for potential disruption at the EU/UK borders around Brexit date.
Supply continuity has been and continues to be our overriding priority and we are confident we have done everything in our control to prepare for Brexit. Our plans are being kept under constant review, including at an individual product level, as the Brexit process continues. We have extensive experience managing our complex supply chains and we are taking mitigating action around products that may be affected. Where we anticipate issues, we will inform the regulator at the earliest opportunity."
Below is the response to the first Brexit date of 29 March 2019:
"Until there is formal agreement, we will continue to implement our contingency plans for all scenarios, including no deal."
Lamictal (lamotrigine) tablets
Company: Glaxo-Smith Kline (GSK)
Dosage: 25mg, 50mg, 100mg and 200mg
Contingency Plan:
Update 23/9/19: "Throughout the Brexit process, GSK’s priority has been to maintain the continuity of supply of medicines, vaccines and healthcare products for patients and consumers. To minimise the potential for disruption to supply when the UK exits the EU, we started preparing for Brexit immediately following the referendum result. We took a risk-based approach to mitigation, preparing for all scenarios including no deal.
The bulk of our new post-Brexit operating model is now in place, and arrangements linked to customs and borders are ready to be implemented as the UK leaves the EU. There is a fair amount of detail outlined in our annual report (p36) on the specific activities we undertook, including expanding our ability to conduct re-testing and certification of medicines, amending manufacturing and importation licences, updating packaging, securing additional warehousing and transferring Marketing Authorisation Holders to EU regulators for EU supply. Our operating model includes robust forecasting, control of our stock and additional warehouse capacity in the UK. We have adjusted safety stock levels and identified alternative transportation routes that avoid the busy short straits crossing between the UK and EU, which we’ll utilise to mitigate for potential disruption at the EU/UK borders around Brexit date.
Supply continuity has been and continues to be our overriding priority and we are confident we have done everything in our control to prepare for Brexit. Our plans are being kept under constant review, including at an individual product level, as the Brexit process continues. We have extensive experience managing our complex supply chains and we are taking mitigating action around products that may be affected. Where we anticipate issues, we will inform the regulator at the earliest opportunity."
Below is the response to the first Brexit date of 29 March 2019:
"Until there is formal agreement, we will continue to implement our contingency plans for all scenarios, including no deal."