No deal Brexit: allowing pharmacists to substitute doctors’ prescriptions may be unlawful, says public interest group

A legal challenge to emergency “no deal Brexit” rules that would allow UK pharmacists to substitute doctors’ prescriptions in cases of drug shortages has been launched at the High Court in London.

A regulation came into force on 9 February that allows the health and social care secretary, Matt Hancock, to issue “serious shortage protocols” as and when a shortage of medicines arises.1 The move is part of preparations for the possibility that parliament does not agree a deal for leaving the EU and crashes out without one. …