Government urged to reassure people that Brexit will not impact insulin supplies

Two leading diabetes charities have called for the government to clarify that insulin availability will be secure in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Diabetes UK and JDRF have joined forces to request ministers detail how they will ensure that people with diabetes are not affected, and not left without vital medication.
The UK is currently set to leave the European Union at the end of March and there is still no trade deal in place.
In a joint statement, Karen Addingto, UK chief executive of JDRF, and Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “With just a matter of weeks between now and 29th March and, despite reaching out directly to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in December, we still have not seen the concrete detail needed to reassure us – or people with diabetes – that the UK Government’s plans are robust enough to guarantee no impact on insulin and medicine supplies in the event of a no-deal Brexit.”
JDRF has previously confirmed it will “ensure that the needs of people with type 1 diabetes are taken into account and prioritised” once Britain leaves the EU.
Earlier this year, we wrote about the prospective impact of Brexit on the diabetes community, and what the government and pharmaceutical companies are doing to ensure a smooth transition.
Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Eli Lilly, the three largest providers of insulin in Europen, have all announced plans to stockpile insulin should a no-deal Brexit transpire.
The joint statement added: “Insulin is a life-saving necessity for hundreds of thousands of people with diabetes, and any delay or interruption to access would be incredibly dangerous.
“The UK Government must – with all urgency – produce the detail needed to reassure the public that it, and all relevant organisations involved in the smooth supply of insulin into the UK, have robust systems and agreements in place to ensure this supply in the event of a no-deal Brexit.”