Dear colleague,
Please see below guidance for GPs and Practice Nurses in relation to patients requesting additional drugs as a result of uncertainty over Brexit.
Along with other government departments, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has stepped up its planning for a ‘no deal’ scenario and it has robust plans in place to protect patient safety and healthcare provision. As outlined in a letter from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, sent to all GP practices in August, these plans will ensure the UK has an extra six weeks’ supply of medicines (on top of normal stock levels) in case imports from the EU are affected.
As a result of this planning, DHSC says GPs and community pharmacies throughout the UK do not need to take any steps to stockpile additional medicines, beyond their business as usual stock levels. It also emphasises that there is no need for clinicians to write longer NHS prescriptions and local stockpiling is not necessary.
In the event of a patient requesting extra medicines, you should therefore:
This is the current advice from DHSC but it will continue to be reviewed in light of future developments. Should GPs be required to take specific action, you will be given sufficient notice and clear guidance on the steps to be taken.
In the meantime, should you require further information, a page on planning for a no-deal Brexit has been created for the health and care sector on the Gov.UK website here.
For more information about DHSC’s contingency planning and work for ensuring the continued supply of medicines ub a ‘no deal’ EU exist, see this letter
Kind regards,
BHR CCG communications
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