Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 19 October 2021

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union

Cross-Border Healthcare Directive: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Padraic O'Brien:

If I understand the question it is whether Northern Ireland pharmacists are exercising contingencies to access medicines from other jurisdictions in light of the risks that are in front of them. The supply chain of medicines is highly complex. It is very difficult to turn on a new supply that satisfies the very strict regulatory requirements that are necessary for the supply of medicines to Northern Ireland patients. The reality is the solution being proposed, as published by the EU, appears to be the only solution, that is, the incumbent supplier, our colleagues in Great Britain, who are today supplying medicines to Birmingham and Belfast can continue to do that. That appears to be the most straightforward and practical solution going forward.

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