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Brexit Preparations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Questions (454)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

454. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the steps he and agencies under his remit are taking to minimise the impact of Brexit on the supply of medicines to patients here; the engagement he has had on the matter with the European Union; the details of discussions he is having on the matter with his ministerial colleagues in the UK Government; the measures he plans to put in place to help protect the medicines and pharmaceutical export sector in the event of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12043/20]

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Written answers

The UK has left the EU, and, when the transition period ends, it will no longer apply the rules of the EU Single Market and Customs Union. Work is underway across Government to prepare for this change. On the 29th of May, the Government agreed to intensify preparedness work across all Departments and agencies in preparation for the end of the transition period. As part of this whole of Government response to Brexit, my Department is working to ensure the health sector is ready for Brexit at the end of the transition period.

The continued supply of medicines post-Brexit remains a key priority for the Irish Government. The priority for Ireland is that citizens should not be put at risk due to a disadvantage in accessing or deprived of, medicines as a result of Brexit. The Department of Health is leading on the health sector's response to Brexit and is working to ensure the continued supply of medicines and any medical devices to patients in Ireland post-Brexit.

Experts from the Department, the HPRA and the HSE have conducted criticality assessment exercises on medicines and medical devices to scope out key risks and put in place mitigation measures for those potentially vulnerable to disruption due to Brexit.

A "refresh" of the criticality assessments carried out will take place later this year in order to have sufficiently up to date information on supply chains in advance of the end of the transition period. This will take into consideration an assessment of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 response and its impacts on supplies. All efforts are being made to ensure the continued supply of medicines to meet the needs of Irish patients.

The Department is also continuing to work with colleagues at national and European level to ensure the continued timely supply of medicines to Ireland post-Brexit.

As part of the whole of Government approach to Brexit, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has examined a broad spectrum of Brexit-related issues affecting business in Ireland. The agencies of that Department are also contributing to their efforts to mitigate any potential disruption to supply chains. These agencies continue to deliver a broad range of Brexit supports to support companies, build commercial resilience and to maintain and increase export levels.

In the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, exports in the United Kingdom account for approximately 6% of total exports. For IDA client companies, the continued functioning of the UK landbridge also remains important for the transport of final and intermediate products further afield. The use of the landbridge varies by product type, for example, the high-value, low-weight nature of final pharmaceutical products makes air transport a more logical choice relative to lower value, heavier products.

No set of arrangements will be able to replicate the access and benefits of the UK being a member of the EU and within the Single Market and Customs Union. Ireland will face these changes with the mutual solidarity and support of our EU partners and with all the strength that EU membership brings.

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