Written question WQ98392
- Asked by
- Russell GeorgeIndependent
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 12 days
Question
Is the Cabinet Secretary aware of any restrictions or consequences that would prevent unwanted or out of date medical supplies and equipment being sent to other countries, such as to Ukraine?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
The Welsh Government works closely with the UK Government, the UK Health Security Agency and other devolved governments to mobilise medical items, including medicines, in response to requests from another Government such as Ukraine.
Donations of medicines and medical devices made in response to a specific request should be made in accordance with relevant UK legislation and international guidance ensure they are safe, effective, and meet the needs of recipient health systems.
Any medicines donated in such circumstances must be within their expiry date. This is partly because of the risks around the quality and integrity of expired medicines and also because specific licensing requirements for their export might not be met.