Brexit Could Cause More Expensive Drugs and Shortages, Say Healthcare Distribution Association
A hard Brexit could lead to more expensive drugs as well as an increased number of shortages.
Those are the warnings of the Healthcare Distribution Association (HDA). The HDA said parallel imports help to smooth over the market if there are higher prices in one country than another in the single market in Europe. In addition, if it is difficult to obtain one particular sort of medicine, this can be obtained from abroad. Parallel importers therefore act like a lubricant to enable the smooth running of the market.
The HDA also voiced concern over a harder environment for employing EU nationals. It said community and hospital pharmacy benefited from skilled EU workers.
In a letter to the Government, the HDA added that patients could receive treatments slower when the European Medicines Agency will move its headquarters away from London as a consequence of Brexit.
We will keep you updated as the situation develops.