Roy Beggs MLA has expressed his alarm at the lack of recognition given by the EU Commission to the adverse effect that the NI Protocol is having on medical supplies to Northern Ireland and is concerned at the failure of pro-NI Protocol parties to recognise the problems created by the protocol.

Roy Beggs MLA said:

“The current exemption for Northern Ireland Medical Supplies from the NI Protocol is due to end at the end of the year but with suppliers having to give 6 months notice of their intention to cease supply, the NI Protocol will start to affect medical supplies from 1^st July.  It is disappointing that the EU have not responded to my concerns raised some 6 weeks ago. This dangerous and unnecessary attempt to regulate the supply of medicines to our health service through the Protocol must go.

“The EU are insisting on new packaging specific to Northern Ireland and control over the supply of medicines used in Northern Ireland. It`s totally unacceptable.

“This bespoke packaging for small Northern Ireland production runs is adding unnecessary costs to companies supplying medicines to this part of the United Kingdom and the NI Health Service.  Even more concerning is that some smaller companies are likely to end supplying to Northern Ireland. 

“I am alarmed at the lack of urgency shown by the EU over this matter. Medical supplies to the Northern Ireland Health Service has zero risk of threatening the EU single market as goods and products are not sold on, but form part of our free National Health Service and are issued to patients with a prescription approved by a GP or pharmacist.

“These unnecessary and unreasonable requirements of the NI Protocol must be removed so that NI citizens have unfettered access to a full range of competitively priced medication and medical devices within the UK. Northern Ireland has the longest waiting lists in the UK and indeed Europe. Our Health Service needs to meet the needs of patients and enable as many as possible to be treated within our limited budget.

“The effect of the NI Protocol is adding to the pressures on our health service.  This unnecessary and bureaucratic NI Protocol must go. This is a breach of the Belfast Agreement settlement and is altering Northern Ireland`s constitutional position within the UK.”