Brexit News

Monday 30th November -0001

The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020 and moved into a transition period which ended on 31 December 2020 with the UK and EU agreeing to a Trade and Cooperation Agreement on 24 December 2020.

During the transition period the UK continued to follow EU legislation and regulations but this changed on 1 January 2021. From 1 January 2021 Northern Ireland (NI) has continued to be aligned to EU legislation and regulations in respect of medicines and medical devices as a requisite of the Ireland/ Northern Ireland Protocol and Great Britain (GB) has not.

The Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol which came into effect from 1 January 2021 has resulted in changes to regulations regarding medicines in relation to importation requirements and compliance with Falsified Medicines Directive. The UK and EU agreed to a phased in approach of these regulatory requirements until 31 December 2021 to allow time for industry to prepare.

Separate to regulatory differences, under the Protocol, new customs rules and procedures for the movement of all goods from GB to NI will apply from 1 January 2021, including medicines.

The UK Government has implemented a multi-layered approach to help ensure the continued supply of medicines and medical products to the whole of the UK, including NI, from the end of the transition period. This includes (but is not limited to) supporting trader readiness, buffer stocks, extra ferry capacity and an express freight service for medicines and medical products.


For more information regarding importing and exporting pharmacy medicines, you can visit the UK Government website at the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/new-guidance-and-information-for-industry-from-the-mhra

For information regarding new customs requirements, you can visit the Trader Support Service website at the link below:

https://www.tradersupportservice.co.uk/tss




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