In response to a written Parliamentary question, Mr Burstow said: "The government will not take forward proposals to prevent the export of any medicinal products."

"The free movement of goods, including medicines, between member states of the European Union is a fundamental principle of the single market upon which the European Union is built, and therefore legislation to this end would be inappropriate," he explained.

Mr Burstow said the Department of Health, MHRA and supply chain stakeholders continued to work collaboratively to better understand and mitigate the impact of supply difficulties.

The initial question by MP Bob Russell asked if the health minister would bring forward proposals to prevent the export of medicinal products that are in short supply in the UK in the upcoming health bill.