Brexit and medication licensing

[TenerifeSea]

I would appreciate any advice please because I’ve heard a lot of scaremongering but equally, I do have some concerns. This isn’t a political thread, a genuine concern.

It is my understanding that some medications may be produced in the UK but are currently EU licensed - is this correct and if so, would it not be very problematic if we do Brexit with no deal?

I have not been able to find any clear information on the impact of Brexit. Anything helpful would be much appreciated, please and thank you. :)

I can't answer your question but 2 of the 3 drugs I take are now 'not available'. 1 is a heart medication (metoprolol) and the other is naproxen. The pharmacist said it was to do with Brexit uncertainty

Doctor also told me that they're having problems getting hold of diamorphine. I'm really scared about what will happen if we leave with no deal.

There have been manufacturing issues with naproxen for just under a year now, it’s not just down to brexit.

I picked up my Naproxen yesterday without a problem

Have there juniper? I live on the Continent and it's available over the counter in my country. I also get it on prescription. I've not been aware of any shortages either way. I don't use a great deal of it but there don't seem to have been any issues here.

The naproxen shortage is not related to Brexit and has been going on for some time. My pharmacy has told me there’s an issue but they’ve still been fortunate enough to source it.

Pharmacies have been advised to stock up due to brexit. Therefore there are shortfalls of certain drugs. There are always on-going manufacturing issues with certain medicines for many reasons or a short term supply issue. This coupled with pharmacies stocking up means the shortfalls are more noticeable at the moment. Plus naproxen is a very common drug (particularly in my area anyway) again more noticeable to the public that it's hard to get hold of. I also heard one of our pharmacists explaining the lack of alternatives without side effects and/or contradictions with other drugs or health conditions all regarding naproxen. Other drugs that have shortages it's often possible to perscribe an alternative.

Naproxen seems to be slowly coming back in we have had two/three months maybe where we have had major issues.

I cant get nortriptaline because of manufacturing issues and its worrying me that Brexit is looming too. I use it for pain and it just about makes my life livable.

Pharmacist told me the Naproxen issue is down to a fire at the main factory.

As a side note- if you’re taking Naproxen, please get your kidney function tested regularly! It’s damaged mine

There have been some issues with Hydroxychloriquine lately. Some people get awful side effects with 2 of the three versions, and the one people can tolerate more easily is struggling. Had an issue with steroids lately too, but assured that it's not ongoing. Strange I've never had a problem before though.

It is a concern, but pharmacies have robust plans in place I am sure. I am telling myself this, as without Hydroxychloriquine life becomes very difficult for me. I'm sure they have it in hand.

The Zentiva brand of Hydroxycholorquine ( what used to be plaquenil) has now been discontinued. I can't take Quinoric or Blackrocks versions. There is a new generic produced by Teva that I will shortly be trying.
There are lots of manufacturing problems on many drugs due a variety of reasons including lack of investment.
The vast majority of our drugs are manufacturer in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Virtually none are actually manufacturer in the U.K. though many are developed here.

Zentivia haven't discontinued , though there is a supply issue, has been since last year.
www.lupusuk.org.uk/hydroxychloroquine-prescriptions/

*zentiva. Is zentivia a sugar substitute?

@domton my pharmacy phoned Zentiva on Friday last week it has now been discontinued.

@lonecatwithkitten Bugger. That's going to makes life very difficult for some. The supply has been for a good year now, with many queries but always resulting in a 'it's just an interruption it will sort' type response. A bit alarming they have not made an announcement. Thank you.

@domton I am suspicious that the teva generic maybe Zentiva as it apparently appeared at the same time as Zentiva disappeared.

Many, many branded drugs are actually manufactured by generic providers for the brands. So it could be that Zentiva have chosen to stop the product, but that teva have made it for them.
I have 14 days of Zentiva left then I have to move to Teva so we will see. It is going to be tricky to tell as I am having a really bad flare currently. Though if this flare continues or gets worse I may have to accept steroids,

Sounds Likely doesn't it? I hope so. I have a different brand and thankfully suits. Hope your flare sorts itself out. I'm currently in,a&e after GP sent me and feel steroids are inevitable...again. The best but most evil things ever.

Have friends and husband that worked in Medicines Agencies. European Medicines Agency used to be in London- now moved/moving to Amsterdam. ( because of Brexit)
Medicines can be licenced by a national agency for sale in the Country- this is often used for Over the Counter Medicines and less frequently for prescription medicines. Then companies can apply for mutual recognition ie UK allows it so France can accept the UK's work.
EMA licence across all member states that the Company requests and hence they can be sold in the UK. The intention is that things previously licensed by EMA will be automatically licensed in the UK- but not sure where they are with that.
On top of all this, it is often more profitable for wholesalers or the companies to sell in EU countries or US or anywhere else in the world- due to the currency flucuations ( the B word again). Hence the shortages. A few years back, loads of Companies were bringing medicines into the UK and everyone was complaining about the foreign packaging so now the roles are reversed. (Parallel imports)
The pharmacists are having a really hard time with getting medicines at the moment. I am really glad I am retired!

To those worrying about changes of brands.
Have a look at the Marketing Authorisation numbers or Product Licence Numbers (MA or PL ) usually in format nnnn/nnnn on the box. ( This is not the batch number or expiry date) . PL numbers are unique, brand names are not, so if the PL is the same the product is the same regardless of the name . Hope this makes sense.

There are periodic shortages of certain medications nes, and they happen (usually totally unremarked on) l the time.

Unfortunately, with confirmation bias being what it is, any shortage is being tagged to Brexit. Right now, no shortages are due to that, and it is far from clear that any will be (as PP noted, automatic recognition of EMA licences is the likely and achievable solution, not yet auctioned but no obvious obstacles).

Held up in customs queues, maybe (but at least some special transport already planned for medical imports whilst everything else settles down) but unlikely for licence reasons.

@lonecatwithkitten in a curious twist, I picked up my prescription today, and I got zentiva tablets for the first time. I've been taking them for 2/3 years, and never had these. My pharmacist wouldn't have changed to these if they had been discontinued. Strange we were talking about it then this, I usually get the ones in a blue box.

@domton could be a wholesaler clearing old stock as they were more expensive than the other brands. I will wait and see next month.

Yes. Possibly. Just had to post, I haven't ever had them then this. I'll wait and see too. If old stock it could be cheaper I suppose.

I understand that the intention is that licencing will be automatically updated, as you are correct that lots of our drugs are currently licensed under a sort of umbrella EU license which would not apply once Britain leaves.

How exactly that happens and if it can feasibly happen overnight though I'm not sure. I am not an expert! This is just what I've picked up from a couple of medical friends.