More than 80 medicines have been banned from parallel export,
to ensure a consistent supply for UK patients who need them during the coronavirus
pandemic.
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The ‘crucial’ medications – including adrenaline, insulin,
paracetamol and morphine – are commonly used in secondary care and are needed
to treat patients who are seriously ill with Covid-19.
It is hoped that banning the drugs from parallel export –
the practice of companies selling drugs intended for the UK market to other countries
for profit – will help to minimise disruption to the supply chain, and protect against
supply shortages.
Announcing the restrictions, the Department of Health and Social Care said any firms found to be in breach of the ban could face tough sanctions from Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
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Health minister Lord Bethell said: ‘Our brilliant NHS staff
are going above and beyond to provide world-class care to patients with
coronavirus and we are supporting them in every way we can.
‘We are today banning the parallel export of more than 80 crucial
medicines to protect patients in the UK and help ensure they can always get the
treatments they need.’
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The full list of all medication that cannot be parallel
exported, including the new additions, can be viewed here.
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