County health bosses have warned against stockpiling medications prior to Brexit.

NHS Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group representatives say they are preparing for all eventualities in the event that the UK leaves the European Union without a deal.

They say they will be able to continue to supply medication providing people don’t take matters into their own hands and stockpile.

This could have a detrimental effect on the CCG’s finances or ability to purchase medicine.

Dr Ian Tait, CCG chairman, said: “The EU exit piece of work has reached a new level with the outcome of the European elections.

“With the upcoming change of Prime Minister will there be a new focus on the committee that had been stood down and will work be stepped up in the light of the scenario of a no-deal Brexit being regarded by our political leaders as a likely outcome?

Simon Tricket, accountable officer, said the CCG has been preparing for the UK’s exit from the EU since January.

“That resulted in us doing daily reporting on our readiness. Seven days a week, several times a day,” he said.

“All of that planning work is still in place. They have stood down the requirement to report daily.

"I imagine when we get to August and September that will ramp up again.

“Clearly, there is quite a lot of political machinations that will happen between now and then which will determine the outcome of this.

He said he was confident in the CCG’s plans post-Brexit.

Dr Tait added: “The system is still planning for every eventuality.

“We need to give some assurances to the public that they don’t always need to take steps like stockpiling medications because it has significant issues for supply and finance for the NHS if people are making their own personal decisions of that nature.”

Mr Tricket said: “We would strongly urge people not to do that.

“The way to create a medication supply and availability issue is to change the behaviour.

“If people don’t stockpile, the evidence suggests we will be fine.

“The only thing that will cause an issue is if that demand curve changes because of that behaviour.”

“All the plans are in place to ensure continuity of supply.”

Dr Tait said if people stockpiled it would increase the cost of the drugs.

“If you alter the balance in supply and demand it adds to the financial issues to the NHS.”