BIA respond to written ministerial statement on continuity of supply in a no-deal Brexit

Steve Bates OBE, Chief Executive of the BIA said: “I ask all companies that are seeking to use the Government procured supply routes to import and export medicines in the event of a no-deal to register their interest immediately. This is best done by replying to the communication from the Department of Health yesterday. This is a key step to enable companies to book and purchase government procured ferry space -as details of it emerge- in the weeks ahead.  

“This capacity, on which much of the sector has always planned to rely on, to deliver medicines to patients in the event of no-deal, is not now set to be fully available until the end of November as the National Audit Office report showed last week. This is likely to put greater pressure on warehoused stockpiles of medicines in the event of expected significant delays at the short straights.

“This information was available to companies much further in advance of the last no-deal deadline. This delay means companies have much less time to understand the consequential implications for their own supply chain planning. For example, it makes a significant difference to maintaining temperature control of loads and to driver’s hours when deciding whether to go for one of two ferries a day from Cherbourg, rather than the current turn up and go arrangement at Calais.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1.  The written ministerial statement can be found here 

2. For more information please contact Jack Fellows, Communications and Media Manager on [email protected] or 02076302196

About the BIA 

Established over 25 years ago at the infancy of biotechnology, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) is the trade association for innovative life sciences in the UK. Our goal is to secure the UK's position as a global hub and as the best location for innovative research and commercialisation, enabling our world-leading research base to deliver healthcare solutions that can truly make a difference to people's lives.