Mr Hancock was responding yesterday (November 27) to a question from Labour MP for Burnley Julie Cooper, who pointed to NHS Confederation warnings last month that some medicines may be delayed in reaching patients or may even become unavailable in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Ms Cooper also claimed that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is “worried that diabetics will not be able to access insulin” should a no-deal Brexit occur.

“What steps is the minister taking to ensure that community pharmacies are able to supply vital medical supplies post-Brexit, particularly in the event of no deal?” Ms Cooper asked in a parliamentary debate.

Mr Hancock responded: “Community pharmacies, like everybody else, should support the Prime Minister’s deal, which will make sure that eventuality does not occur.”

Theresa May is currently touring the UK trying to sell her Brexit deal, which the Prime Minister claimed will ensure a “free trade area that will allow goods to flow easily across our borders”.

RPS vague on second referendum stance

The Royal College of General Practitioners will back a second Brexit referendum – this time on the terms of Ms May’s deal – following a vote by GPs, trade publication Pulse said on Monday (November 26).

When asked by C+D whether the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) would back a similar motion, the society declined to answer directly, instead saying: “We have regular meetings with government about Brexit, advising on how to support medicines supply, pharmacists and their patients.”

Read how the Brexit vote has changed the lives of European pharmacists in the UK here.