As European Union (EU) trade deals continue to be negotiated, people with diabetes are understandably getting worried about how Brexit might impact receiving their medication and insulin.
We’ve put together this page of information to keep you informed as the process continues.
How could Brexit affect diabetes medication?
Although the UK is no longer officially part of the EU, the country is currently in a transition period which means fine details are still being discussed. At the moment how we trade insulin and other medicines with the EU is still being negotiated.
This transition period will end on 31 December 2020 and if an agreement has not been reached, then the default position of a no-deal Brexit will come into force on 1 January 2021. If this happens then it could mean the process of trading medication with the EU will become complicated which might impact insulin supplies into the UK.
Despite this, the Government says it does not expect insulin supplies to be disrupted as contingency plans have been put in place. We will continue to monitor this issue and keep you informed of any developments.
What is being done?
According to the Department for Health and Social Care, the Government has been working on trying to find a mutual agreement with the EU on medicines.
It is thought that the three main insulin suppliers, Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk, have kept at least six weeks stock of insulin in the UK to reduce potential disruption.
Other diabetes medicines
The Government is urging other pharmaceutical companies that supply diabetes medications to also retain stocks just in case a disruption should occur. This is to ensure most people have access to their medication should a no-deal Brexit go through.
However, many diabetes medicines are made by UK companies so it is unlikely there will be any disruption for them.
In the meantime, we recommend people who use insulin or other diabetes medicines to contact their GP and order their repeat prescription at least 14 days before collection. There is no need to stockpile though as this could put other people at risk if they are unable to access the treatment they require.
What about diabetes technology?
The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that medical devices, which include diabetes technologies, are also included in the planning for both a deal and no-deal outcome.
Good news for those who use the Abbot FreeStyle Libre as that is made in the UK, so therefore should not be affected.
For those who use pumps or a continuous glucose monitor we recommend keeping a back-up supply of pen needles, lancets and test strips just in case there is a delay in those parts coming into the country.
Healthcare abroad
After 31 December, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can no longer be used when abroad in the EU so we recommend ensuring you have travel insurance that fully when travelling overseas.
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