Thread by @Troyella5

This week, a No Deal #Brexit just got a step closer.

@WendyNowak shines a light on the situation of the many UK citizens who are dependent upon medication from the EU.

#3Point5Percent #NoDealBrexit #MedicationShortage #MedsShortage

1.

"As soon as I heard rumours about shortages of medicines alarm bells started ringing in my head.

I’m Type 2 diabetic and need insulin to control it. The complications of uncontrolled diabetes are dire: blindness, kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, amputation.

2.

On further investigation it turns out that only about 0.5% of the insulin used in the UK is manufactured here. The rest comes mainly from Denmark or Germany, from the big manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Sanofi Deutschland.

3.

Insulin is temperature sensitive, it is not easy to stockpile. Before the last Brexit deadline, the government promised they’d buy loads of extra fridges and engage a wonderful ferry company to ship over our meds.

Remember Seabourne? They didn’t actually have any ferries.

4.

A government shambles, which made me fear for my life even more.

And it's not just insulin.

Three quarters of our med supplies come from Europe. That figure is quoted in the government Yellowhammer report. I haven’t just plucked it out of thin air. It’s not just about..

5.

..me and it’s not just about diabetes. It affects thousands of patients, including those suffering from cancer, those on dialysis, asthma, epilepsy, glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis and many immune deficiencies. Nobody has any room for complacency.

6.

The UK will also be leaving EURATOM, which guarantees the supply and safety of nuclear materials. The radioisotopes necessary for cancer treatment and diagnostic scans are at risk. These are also imported from Europe, are extremely time sensitive and cannot be stockpiled.

7.

Cancer patients are already being told that they will not be prioritised for treatment because they are over a certain age.

Think about that.

8.

The Pandemic hasn't helped.

The UK had a stockpile of meds (well, at least of those which can be stockpiled) as a no-deal contingency. The pandemic has eroded these away, which leaves us in a dire situation in the event of no-deal. This is before any second wave hits us.

9.

So what do we do?

As a diabetic I have to ensure I don’t catch the virus, but if I sit back and do nothing I face severe illness or death from med shortages.

I can take precautions against COVID but there’s nothing I can do if my meds run out.

10.

I’ve been told many times:
‘The government doesn’t care about you’.

To that, I say:
‘Get out there if you can’.

We did not vote for medication, or indeed food shortages (I and many others need a healthy diet) and we will not put up with them."

Thank you @WendyNowak.

End.