Stockpiles of medicines, medical devices and “substances of human origin” thought to be blood will be collected in preparation for a Brexit no-deal, the Health Secretary has said today.
Matt Hancock, the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, confirmed that provisions were been put in place by the department, adding that there will “obviously be a cost for this”.
He said medicines and medical devices will be stockpiled as well as substances of human origin, which under EU law refers mainly to blood as well as tissues and organs.
The warning comes hot on the heels of Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab’s admission that the United Kingdom will have to stockpile food as part of its preparations for leaving the European Union without a deal.
He promised to ensure “there is adequate food supply” if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal, which is a far sight from the promises laid out by campaigners before the referendum.
More to follow.