UK-CAB statement on Brexit, HIV and access to medicines (December 2018)

UK-CAB statement on Brexit, HIV and access to medicines.

As a peer-led HIV advocacy project, the UK Community Advisory Board (UK-CAB), like many other organisations, is concerned about the impact Brexit will have on access to medicines.

Leaving the European Union has the potential to increase the costs of medicines to the NHS, restrict rapid access to new medicines and interrupt supplies of currently approved drugs. The last few weeks have been particularly worrying given the limited planning within the NHS.

As no one can predict what will happen after the proposed leaving date of 29th March 2019, the following recommendations are suggested for HIV positive people to be as prepared as possible for any minor disruptions:

1.    Check now how much medication you have at home. Count the boxes you have and work out how long it will last you.

2.   If you are due to run out of medication before the end of April, it would be better to organise a new prescription in or before March. This will avoid pressuring the NHS when services will be least certain. It will also ensure your treatment will be covered for the first few months after March 2019.

3.    Check the date of your next clinic appointment, or however you access care and medication, and bring this forward if necessary. Please leave enough time for your blood results and medication to be issued well before the end of March.

4.    There is no need to ask for extra supply. Your normal prescription should cover any initial disruption during the first months after April 2019.

Everyone hopes any supply issues, if they arise, will be temporary and short-lived. However, it is in everyone’s best interests to be prepared.

The UK-CAB will continue to seek updates from the relevant authorities and will post further updates when we know more.

If you have any queries regarding this statement please contact the UK-CAB co-ordinator