MEDICINES & TECHNOLOGY...

They see Brexit as a chance to roll back basic protections at work and we need to be very vigilant in guarding against this.

“Let’s use leaving the EU as an opportunity to build the country we want to see, where workers are treated with dignity and respect and protected by strong employment laws.” THE report describes the UK as a “leading location” for the pharmaceutical industry in Europe.

If the UK leaves the European system of medicine licensing, it will be excluded from authorising medicines across the EU.

As a result, it could greatly reduce the speed at which vital drugs are brought to the market.

The report states: “It will therefore be necessary for the UK to develop its own regulatory system, unless it is willing simply to accept the decisions of other regulatory agencies, such as the US Food and Drugs Administration or EMA.”

Dr Rick Greville, director of the British Pharmaceutical Industry in Wales, said: “The Lancet’s report underlines the scale of the task ahead to ensure that patients in Wales, the rest of the UK and Europe can continue to get the medicines they need, from day one of Britain leaving the EU.

“For everyone in the health sector, maintaining a close co-operative relationship between the UK and the EU in health research, medicines regulation and safety, and the handling of public health issues, has been, and remains a priority.

“Changes to this would have profound impacts on the NHS, the pharmaceutical industry and to the future health and wellbeing of patients – and are central to our ongoing conversations with devolved, UK and European governments.

“It is crucial that any Brexit deal does not result in a reduction, or delay, in patient access to safe and effective medicines.”

The report also voices major concerns over how other medical products will be traded post-Brexit.

It states: “Because so much of the UK’s trade depends on EU regulatory structures and networks that make it friction free, it is difficult to assess how pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and medical devices would continue to be traded when these frictions return.

“More complex issues, such as securing human blood, organs, or tissue supplies are also subject of specific provisions in EU law and are likely to face difficulties and short-term disruptions.”

In response to the report, the Welsh Conservatives said a key aim in talks was to ensure healthcare delivery “remains seamless”.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Brexit poses a number of challenges. We want EU nationals currently working in the NHS in Wales, or those who wish to come here to work, to feel welcome.

“Despite record numbers of frontline NHS staff working in Wales, some professions and speciality fields still face recruitment challenges.

“Health boards, along with our support, are working to address these challenges.

“We pay tribute to those doctors from the EU and beyond who come to work in the Welsh NHS, who contribute to treating our people and saving lives.”