We were both interviewed by BBC Newsnight last week for a report on no-deal preparations for pharmaceuticals, and profoundly disagree with the assessment by the Department of Health that it was Brexit scaremongering.
Newsnight made the editorial decision not to name the drug or drug company involved. We agree with that decision, as it should be the DH’s responsibility to be open and transparent about where there are delays and the reasons why. For example, on Friday, the department circulated guidance from the Epilepsy Society stating that there was six weeks’ supply stockpiled of my medication, which contradicts the confidential advice from NHS England that was the basis of the Newsnight story. Only one of these statements can be true.
Given that we are currently due to exit the European Union this Friday without a deal, the issue of safe access to medication is broader than just epilepsy. We are aware that the NHS has put a huge effort into no-deal preparations – but these must be safe for each and every patient. We were disappointed to see the department in effect “shoot the messenger” rather than be open and transparent about the issue – which remains rightly a concern for patients and doctors alike.
Gillian Marshall Patient with epilepsy, Newtown, Powys
Dr David Nicholl Consultant neurologist, Birmingham
• Andrea Leadsom claims a no-deal departure would be preferable to a long delay or a customs union because “the civil service have done an amazing job of ensuring that we minimise the problem of a no deal, and that it would not be nearly as bad as many like to think it would be” (Report, 8 April). Is any report from the civil service available to back up this statement? It seems to directly contradict the Guardian’s view that “No deal is a fantasy”.
Dr Richard Turner
Beverley
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