Cole’s mum fears a no-deal Brexit
Concerns a Boris blunder could leave those in need without lifesaving drugs
A campaigning East Kilbride mum whose epileptic son relies on vital medication from abroad is terrified a nodeal Brexit could put his life at risk.
Patients with conditions such as cancer, epilepsy and killer infections may be hit as cross-Channel supplies face cuts of up to 60 per cent.
And experts fear vital drugs could run out if Prime Minister Boris Johnson allows Britain to crash out of the EU.
Newlandsmuir mum Lisa Quarrell was so desperate to save her son from paralysing epileptic seizures she smuggled cannabis oil into Scotland to treat him herself.
Seven-year-old Cole Thomson was fighting for his life. Unable to get treatment on the NHS and desperate to help, Lisa travelled to Holland to get the prescription illegally.
In a matter of weeks the Canberra Primary pupil went from up to 16 seizures a night to none in more than 100 days.
Lisa has since managed to get a private London practice to issue a prescription and found an East Kilbride-based importer who brings the Bedrolite drug to Scotland.
But, as health unions warn leaving without a deal could spark a health disaster that could prove fatal, the Unison Lothian health worker fears her son’s seizures will return.
The mum-of-two told the News: “This report is so concerning as with Cole even changing the brand of his medicine can have an impact on his seizures everything he takes for his seizures has to be exactly the same every day and him not getting access to his medicine would result in him taking more seizures and he could die.
“The very fact these conversations are taking place and I have had no information from any of Cole’s medical team terrifies me.”
Epilepsy Society spokesman Stephen Canning added: “For most people with epilepsy, their medication regime will have been finely tuned over many years to maximise their seizure control and minimise side effects.
“One seizure and they suddenly find they are no longer allowed to drive, their job or education may be affected. Seizures can be fatal, too.”
Almost three million packs of drugs arrive in the UK via the ports.
Pharmaceutical firms and the Government have a list of at-risk drugs which is being kept top secret to avoid alarming the public.
But there are fears even a short period of delay could prove fatal.
In August, health unions issued a joint letter warning no-deal would be a disaster for patients.
“It said it would “cause significant disruption to the supply of medicine, lasting up to six months”. The letter added: “These kinds of delays can be fatal.”
The Department of Health and Social Care said: “We understand the concerns of those who require medications in their daily lives and want to reassure them we are doing everything appropriate so they can access the medicines they need.”