No deal Brexit: Yellowhammer document shows scale of risk to drug supplies

The government has acknowledged the scale of the potential impact of a no deal Brexit, including disruption to drug supplies, price rises on certain foods and fuel, lorries waiting more than two days to cross the English Channel, and public protests.

The Operation Yellowhammer document1—the government’s planning for a reasonable worst case scenario in the event of a no deal Brexit—was published on 11 September after MPs passed a motion on 9 September that forced such a move. This version was last updated in August.

The document says there may be “significant disruption” to the flow of trade lasting up to six months. “Unmitigated, this will have an impact on the supply …