Ursula von der Leyen's EU is planning to horde drugs with a new bloc-wide system (Image: GETTY)
European Union proposals which will see the bloc horde vaccines, antibiotics and painkillers risk leaving the UK out in the cold, medical experts have warned.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA), responsible for the evaluation and supervision of pharmaceutical products within the EU, is aiming to guarantee access with the introduction of a new system whereby all members of the EU27 work together to ensure they have adequate supplies.
However, experts have warned such an approach has serious implications for Britain, which is currently experiencing major shortages of medicines including treatments for type 2 diabetes, motor neurone disease and cancer.
Mark Dayan, Brexit programme lead at the Nuffield Trust health think tank, told the Guardian: “There is a real risk that measures in such a large neighbour, which is now a separate market due to Brexit, will leave the UK behind in the queue when shortages strike.
“The EU has been scoping out buying more medicine jointly, starting with action on antibiotics next winter.”
READ MORE EU threatens ‘nuclear option’ if Viktor Orban blocks ￡43bn for Ukraine
Cancer medicines are among those in short supply in the UK (Image: Getty)
Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Such an approach risked “shutting UK purchasers out” in certain scenarios, Mr Dayan suggested.
He said: “This would risk worsening shortages from a starting point where they are already exceptionally severe for the UK and other countries, with a mounting impact in terms of costs and wasted time for the NHS, and in terms of patients struggling to get what their doctors have said they need.”
Pharmaceutical trade expert Dr Andrew Hill added: “Europe is securing access to key drugs and vaccines as a single region, with huge influence and buying power.
“As a result of Brexit the UK is now isolated from this system, so our drug supplies could be at risk in the future.”
Don't miss...
Tories handed solution to overcome horror polling – and it's bad news for RIshi [INSIGHT]
Outrage at threat to strip over-70s of driving licences over eyesight tests [ANALYSIS]
EU must beg UK for nuclear arsenal over bloc's threat from Russia, insider says [VIDEO]
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
Generic drugs make up 80 percent of those (Image: Getty)
Mark Samuels, the chief executive of the British Generic Manufacturers Association, said without a concerted strategy to boost the production of generic drugs - which make up most of the medication used by the NHS - “we will see the supply problems become even worse”, given the EU’s concerted action to ensure its own supplies”.
However, David Watson, director of patient access at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, was confident there were safeguards in place.
He explained: “We recognise that, for a wide range of reasons, shortages do happen, and that we need to continue to work across borders to prevent and manage them for patients. We have no reason to think that the EU’s latest policies will adversely impact this ongoing challenge.
“The UK has its own well-rehearsed procedures in place to safeguard essential medicine stocks, working with companies.”
Trending
EU member states hoarding medicines criticised by Breton
In a paper published last month entitled Availability of critical medicines, the agency said: “EMA, HMA and the European Commission are taking important steps to avoid shortages of antibiotic medicines for European patients, via the Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety of Medicinal Products (MSSG).
“This followed a surge in respiratory infections across the EU in winter 2022-23, which led to an increased demand for antibiotics such as amoxicillin (alone and in combination with clavulanic acid), especially for use in children.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Tories handed radical solution to defeat horror polls - and it's bad news for Rishi Sunak
126 Comments
Brexiteer calls for urgent action after warning Brits could face 14 hour queues at Dover
614 Comments
Rishi Sunak vows to defy European judges over Rwanda despite bitter judge's warning
1235 Comments
EU plot to horde vital medicines risks leaving UK 'behind in the queue'
315 Comments
Rishi Sunak suffers catastrophic poll blow after being urged to quit
470 Comments
Reform UK overwhelmingly backed for success at next general election in new poll boost
352 Comments
BBC QT audience member calls for return of national service amid conscription row
1246 Comments
Welsh First Minister hopeful sets out what disputed tourist tax will look like in Wales
47 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon called Boris Johnson a ‘f*****g clown'
103 Comments
Nigel Farage erupts at 'mad' call by EU politician for European nuclear deterrent
327 Comments
No threat to Valentine's Day roses, No10 says following concerns of border disruptions
31 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon branded Boris Johnson 'f****** clown' in WhatsApp rant during Covid
108 Comments
No10 fails to confirm more funds to stop water firms 'profiting from environmental damage'
48 Comments
'Cheers to Brexit!' Jeremy Hunt under pressure to bring beer duty down to below EU levels
109 Comments
Pharmacists facing 'aggression and abuse' from public due to medicine shortage
19 Comments
Measles infection rates soar sparking jabs warning
24 Comments
Harry and Meghan fans attack Princess Kate for ‘skipping waiting list' for surgery
68 Comments
WHO admits 'we are not prepared' for next pandemic as Disease X could kill 50 million
95 Comments
BBC QT descends into chaos as panellist heckled for saying don't talk Britain down
1140 Comments
Plea to rip up council tax bands as ￡150k Hartlepool home paying more than ￡8m London home
6 Comments
Tories handed radical solution to defeat horror polls - and it's bad news for Rishi Sunak
126 Comments
Brexiteer calls for urgent action after warning Brits could face 14 hour queues at Dover
614 Comments
Rishi Sunak vows to defy European judges over Rwanda despite bitter judge's warning
1235 Comments
EU plot to horde vital medicines risks leaving UK 'behind in the queue'
315 Comments
Rishi Sunak suffers catastrophic poll blow after being urged to quit
470 Comments
Reform UK overwhelmingly backed for success at next general election in new poll boost
352 Comments
BBC QT audience member calls for return of national service amid conscription row
1246 Comments
Welsh First Minister hopeful sets out what disputed tourist tax will look like in Wales
47 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon called Boris Johnson a ‘f*****g clown'
103 Comments
Nigel Farage erupts at 'mad' call by EU politician for European nuclear deterrent
327 Comments
No threat to Valentine's Day roses, No10 says following concerns of border disruptions
31 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon branded Boris Johnson 'f****** clown' in WhatsApp rant during Covid
108 Comments
No10 fails to confirm more funds to stop water firms 'profiting from environmental damage'
48 Comments
'Cheers to Brexit!' Jeremy Hunt under pressure to bring beer duty down to below EU levels
109 Comments
Pharmacists facing 'aggression and abuse' from public due to medicine shortage
19 Comments
Measles infection rates soar sparking jabs warning
24 Comments
Harry and Meghan fans attack Princess Kate for ‘skipping waiting list' for surgery
68 Comments
WHO admits 'we are not prepared' for next pandemic as Disease X could kill 50 million
95 Comments
BBC QT descends into chaos as panellist heckled for saying don't talk Britain down
1140 Comments
Plea to rip up council tax bands as ￡150k Hartlepool home paying more than ￡8m London home
6 Comments
Tories handed radical solution to defeat horror polls - and it's bad news for Rishi Sunak
126 Comments
Brexiteer calls for urgent action after warning Brits could face 14 hour queues at Dover
614 Comments
Rishi Sunak vows to defy European judges over Rwanda despite bitter judge's warning
1235 Comments
EU plot to horde vital medicines risks leaving UK 'behind in the queue'
315 Comments
Rishi Sunak suffers catastrophic poll blow after being urged to quit
470 Comments
Reform UK overwhelmingly backed for success at next general election in new poll boost
352 Comments
BBC QT audience member calls for return of national service amid conscription row
1246 Comments
The EMA added: “The EU (Union) list of critical medicines enables EMA, the European Commission and the Heads of Medicines Agencies (EMA) to work together to ensure they can take proactive measures to avoid medicine shortages.
“It contains human medicines whose continued supply is considered a priority in the EU, to avoid serious harm to patients and help healthcare systems function.
“Medicines on this list will be prioritised for EU-wide actions to strengthen their supply chains and minimise the risk of supply disruptions.”
Related articles Calls for Germany to follow UK on Brexit and quit EU sparks outrage Lord Cameron urges Lords to back Rwanda asylum plan Next PM to endure the 'bleakest financial backdrops since the 1950s' The Tories are dead in the water unless they ditch Rishi Sunak - Carole Malone Penny Mordaunt may be the troubled Tories' ticket to success