Novartis Expresses Concern Over UK Medicine Supply as Brexit Looms

Novartis cautioned that a UK exit of the European Union on March 29 without a Brexit deal would be “hugely impactful for patients” in terms of the supply and safety of medicines.

Departing from the regulatory and legal collaboration between the UK and EU would have a widespread effect on the drug industry’s ability to develop and supply drugs to the UK, the company said.

Novartis said it is implementing contingency plans to ensure that its supply of medicine to patients in the country is not interrupted, such as producing increased inventories across its UK drug portfolio.

“It is vital that Government makes minimizing disruption to the medicines supply the highest priority as it prepares for a potential hard or disorderly Brexit and ensures cooperation over medicines regulation in this event,” Novartis said.