Getting medicines into U.K. may be issue post-Brexit, government admits

Image: A pro-E.U. demonstrator near the Houses of Parliament in London
A supporter of the European Union attends a rally opposite the Houses of Parliament in London on Thursday. Copyright BEN STANSALL
By Reuters with NBC News World News
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"If there is a serious disruption at the border we will have prioritization and prioritization will include medicines and medical devices."

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LONDON — Britain is working on plans to charter airplanes to ensure the continued supply of medicines if the country leaves the European Union without a deal in March.

"We are working on ensuring that we have aviation capacity," Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC radio on Friday.

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Amid fears that British ports may face gridlock should a divorce deal not be agreed, Hancock said that trucks carrying drugs would be fast-tracked.

"If there is a serious disruption at the border we will have prioritization and prioritization will include medicines and medical devices," he added.

Hancock also said that Britain would have a stockpile of those drugs that can be obtained.

Prime Minister Theresa May's government has agreed on a Brexit deal with Brussels, but there is a strong chance it will be rejected by lawmakers when it is put to a vote next week.

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