Tuesday 31 July 2018

Those who intent on driving us off the cliff will make sure they are protected from the crash .

Brexiters will be calling Fake News and Project Fear over news that  we face food and medical shortages unless the Tory government strike a deal before (or for the first time I can say if) the UK leave the European Union.

Like millions of others I am particularly  concerned after Matt Hancock, the new health secretary, admitted plans were in motion to stockpile drugs, medical devices and blood products in the event of a no deal, as speculation over such a scenario grows.

Sir Michael, who chairs the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said officials must ensure drugs do not run out if the government fails to secure a deal with Brussels.


Speaking in a personal capacity, Sir Michael told the Pharmaceutical Journal
“There are problems, and the Department for Exiting the EU and the Department of Health and Social Care need to work out how it’s going to work.“Here’s just one example why: we make no insulin in the UK. We import every drop of it.“You can’t transport insulin around ordinarily because it must be temperature-controlled.”

My insulin comes from Denmark and needkes and testing strips from Switzerland,

One pack last me a month (i order two) and I need to order before I have two pens left (in case one is damaged) and store the one I'm not using in the fridge

I am not saying that the scenario is likely to happen , but such is the nature of the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson in that they don't seem to have any concerns over the economic consequences of a no deal, they seem oblivious to such a possibility.

One person who may be concerned  is Theresa May who was seen with a diabetes monitoring patch on her arm as she trod the red carpet at a glitzy awards show last night.


The Prime Minister, who was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago, had the small patch visible upper on her upper arm while shaking hands with well-wishers outside the Pride of Britain ceremony.

 Theresa May with a blood sugar monitor on her arm to deal with her diabetes

However it has emerged that more than  490,000 diabetes patients are missing out on a life-saving monitor used by Theresa May as they're "not a priority", it's claimed.
NHS data shows just 9,690 sufferers have been prescribed  the blood sugar monitoring equipment since it was approved - but experts estimate 500,000 could benefit from the “flash glucose monitor”.

The flash monitor - available to the NHS for less than £1,000 a year each - is a small sensor providing continuous measurements of blood sugar levels in the body through a needle-like sensor in a patch worn on the back of the upper arm for 14 days, and can free patients of continuous painful finger-prick testing.
We should ask the Prime Minister if she gets the monitor from the NHS or pays for it privately?
If its the latter then maybe she would not have a problem in ordering a bulk shipment of her Insulin before Brexit  privately.
It may be an indication of how much she shares fellow diabetics concerns 
According to the Daily Express, approximately just one in every 50 eligible people are currently receiving it, and it's claimed a "postcode lottery" is denying the patch to hundreds of thousands of diabetics.
Chris Askew, chief executive of charity Diabetes UK, said: 
“The delay in some areas in providing access to a ground-breaking technology that can help people to better manage their diabetes is unacceptable.
“We are urgently calling on local health bosses to give access to the device to those who can benefit, no matter where they live."
: “People with diabetes have already been waiting for too long. Every area should now have a policy providing access to flash for free on prescription.”
According to the Express, only half the 195 Clinical Commissioning Groups in England have prescribed it.
I have met one person in Wales who receives the patch through the Welsh NHS and whilst i don't real need one have a friend who would greatly benefit from it.
It is not scaremongering to be concerned to worry about this  and certainly the Government  should tell us how long supplies (even if stockpiled) if there is a No-Deal Brexit.
One thing is clear those who intent on driving us off the cliff will make sure they are protected from the crash ,
 it will be us passengers who face injury or death.




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