JDRF working to ease Brexit transition for people with type 1 diabetes

[DCUK NewsBot]

Type 1 diabetes charity JDRF has urged people with diabetes who rely on insulin not to stockpile medication in case of a no-deal Brexit. JDRF said it is working with the Department of Health and Social Care to find a solution should the situation become problematic once the UK exits Europe. The charity added it is "committed to ensuring that the needs of people with type 1 diabetes are taken into account and prioritised". People who live in the UK receive their insulin from three main pharmaceutical manufacturers: Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk. At the moment all analogue and synthetic human insulin is imported from outside the country and these are the most common forms of insulin used by people with diabetes in the UK. Understandably people have been concerned about supplies should a no-deal Brexit occur. The government is advising is advising people with diabetes, healthcare professionals and pharmacies not to stockpile insulin, and has instead requested that drug manufacturers ensure they have a minimum of six weeks’ supply of stockpiled insulin. Novo Nordisk and Sanofi have previously announced they were increasing their stockpile reserves to 16 and 14 weeks respectively. Lilly is also holding back several months' worth. In July last year Sir Michael Rawlins, Chair of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), said he was concerned about the importation of insulin if a trade deal was not agreed. Diabetes UK has also spoken out in support for those with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes who rely on insulin. In a statement, the organisation's Director of Policy, Campaigns and Improvement, Bridget Turner, said: "More than a million people with diabetes in the UK rely on insulin. "It's absolutely vital that clear systems are in place to ensure that those who rely on insulin and other medicines from abroad continue to have access to them, and that there is no disruption in supply either now or in the future. "Insulin isn’t an optional extra for people with diabetes who rely on it, so it's incredibly important that those companies involved in its production and supply, and those involved in guaranteeing its entry into the UK, work together to ensure supply continues uninterrupted."

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[kitedoc]

One would hope that the dire situation of insulin supplies during WW2 would make people at the top sort out strategies and ensure supply of all vital medication ahead of time. And at least spare people the slaughter of animals and unregulated insulin manufacture.

 

[smcc]

If David Cameron had not been scared of UKIP there would have been no EU referendum and no need for these measures.

 

[ringi]

Personally I see no risk of inslin running out in the UK due to Brexit as it is a problem being planned for. Planning for a risk, does not increase the risk. (The demand for inslin is also very predictable.)

However I can see issues with people getting CGM, test strips, pens etc, as they are not as interchangeable as they seem at first sight.

The drop in the value of the pound has already reduce the profit on fixed price items like CGM, compared to the maker selling them elsewhere.