The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Mum fears medicine supplies could dry up
DUNFERMLINE: Fiona Fisher’s son Jonathan needs daily cocktail of medication
A distraught Dunfermline mum has spoken of her “chilling” fears if her son’s vital medication runs out due to supply problems after a no-deal Brexit.
Fiona Fisher’s son Jonathan suffers from a rare genetic condition, Lowe syndrome, which means he needs round the clock care.
“The Bold Joff” as he is affectionately known, relies on a cocktail of medication to cope with his profound and complex health needs.
But with three of the six drugs he takes every day manufactured in the EU, the worried family have grave concerns stocks will soon dry up in the aftermath of October 31 – when the UK is due to leave the EU.
“We have no real way of knowing how it will pan out,” she said.
“It is just dreadful and I feel for people – Jonathan has me to speak for him but a lot of people are vulnerable and I fear they are quietly suffering.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “Our priority is for all patients to continue to have access to medicines and medical products when we leave the EU.”
A Fife family say they fear for their future if a no-deal Brexit halts the vital supply of medicine to their severely disabled son.
Jonathan Fisher, affectionately known as the Bold Joff to his devoted family, has a rare genetic disorder called Lowe syndrome which mainly affects the eyes, brain and kidneys.
The 25-year-old Dunfermline man has profound and multiple physical, sensory and learning difficulties and needs round-the-clock care in all aspects of his life.
He also requires six regular medications to keep him on an even keel. Four of these are taken a number of times throughout the day and three of them, including one to treat his epilepsy, are made in the EU – in France, Spain and Italy.
His family, who moved to Fife from Lossiemouth when Jonathan was only four, say they are worried about future supplies and have made arrangements with their GP and pharmacy to stockpile a small extra supply of the medicines.
Mum Fiona said: “This gives us about two months in hand, but if that runs out the biggest fear is for the epilepsy medicine.
“The worst kind of seizures are associated with respiratory failure and are not to be taken lightly.
“Even with lesser seizures there are no guarantees they could be brought under control and any seizure is bad for the brain.
“Hundreds of thousands of people are affected, it is just awful.”
Jonathan’s family spoke out yesterday as it emerged UK Government ministers were preparing to spend £300 million on airlifts and other measures to ensure the supply of emergency food and medicine after a no-deal Brexit.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the plans could include trucks loaded on to cargo planes, as well as trains and ships.
Dunfermline and West Fife SNP MP Douglas Chapman has raised the medicines issue with UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
Mr Chapman said cases such as those of the Fishers brought home the real-life impact of Brexit and a lack of preparation and communication by the Conservative government was leaving families in the dark.
“This is causing extreme worry and anxiety for Jonathan’s family,” he said.
“They dedicate so much of their time tolookafterhim and need toknowifthey will be able to continue to successfully care for him.
“I would urge the government to seek a guarantee that supplies of vital medicines will continue after Brexit, deal or no deal.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “We are doing everything appropriate to prepare for EU Exit on October 31.
“Our priority is for all patients to continue to have access to medicines and medical products when we leave the EU.
“We are working urgently with all our partners and our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and medical products remains uninterrupted.”
Exactly how Brexit will impact on the day-to-day lives of Britons and UK-based businesses is a subject of heated debate. With just weeks to go until Prime Minister Johnson’s promised leave date of October 31, how the UK withdrawal will be made up is still to be finalised.
It is a game in which the man and woman in the street have huge store but little influence.
Life will go on post-Brexit, but what exactly it will look like and feel like will only become apparent once the country has stepped over the cliff edge.
Right now, the only certain thing about Brexit is the uncertainty that it is creating.
For families such as the Fishers of Fife, uncertainty is not just an inconvenience, it is a much graver and anxietyinducing matter.
Each day, 25-year-old Jonathan Fisher takes a concoction of medications to combat the effects of Lowe Syndrome, a serious genetic disorder.
His family are concerned that the drugs Jonathan needs to maintain his quality of life will not be as readily available after Brexit, as three of the compounds are manufactured overseas.
It is a very real concern and one that should concentrate minds around the Brexit debating table.
Brexit is a concept that impacts on real people’s lives and is much more than a political football to kick around.