6. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Preparing the health and care services in Wales for a 'no deal' Brexit

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:08 pm on 1 October 2019.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 5:08, 1 October 2019

Thank you for the two main points. On the one on parallel trading, you're right that with a weaker pound it does change different incentives to move goods around between different parts of the European Union. That's a consequence of the weakening of the pound now, and, if we are still headed towards the end of October with a serving Prime Minister threatening to break the law and to try to leave without a deal, then that is not likely to see the pound strengthen in force. There's a challenge here: with branded medicines, there are price controls, but with generic ones less so. It is something that's been raised in conversations between the Governments, and so there is awareness of that. We still think that the potential and significance of this—it's unlikely to be the case before we leave, but the challenge is that, potentially, if we leave the European Union without a deal, then we may find that generic medicines, which are typically less expensive, may actually rise in cost, particularly if there are additional checks, and additional barriers to goods, and that will be reflected in the price. So, it is a real concern. And given the significance of the drugs bill, even a small rise has a significant consequence for the finances of the health service in every part of the United Kingdom.

I recognise your point about BMA members and the briefing that they've circulated. BMA members have been very clear to me about their view and their concerns. This is project reality. This is what we are faced with dealing with. Don't take my word for it, don't take what the BMA say for it, take a look at what the Yellowhammer document released actually says. No-one should be sanguine about this. It recognises the real and significant impact. The concerns are genuine. And that is why we're spending so much time, energy and effort within the Government and within our health and care services in preparing for a 'no deal' Brexit, which I completely agree with the Member should be ruled out as a wholly unacceptable outcome for any and all of us.