'Red tape, confusion': EU accidentally blocks cancer drug citing Brexit law, NI protocol

EU has ‘accidentally blocked’ UK authorized critical lung cancer drug as it moved production to Dublin citing Brexit red tape on exports,  Norrn Ireland protocol, and or arrangements of post-Brexit deal, according to UK's press reports. Hundreds of vital packages were wasted of medication called Osimertinib sold under brand name Tagrisso for cancer treatment, after EU told firm that it cannot be authorized under an international scheme.

drug, used to treat non-small cell cancer, was supposed to have approval by European Medicines Agency (EMA) last month. But EU stalled review, which was supposed to be held by Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, a subgroup of EMA. medicine, however, has alrey been licensed in both  UK and EU since 2016. 

In May, although, UK issued new usage of medicine at an earlier stage in cancer disease for patients' post surgery to curb episodes of resurgence. This could increase survival rates by up to 75 percent. EU on Saturday said that drug will not be approved by European Medicines Agency (EMA) and hence will not be available to cancer patients living in Norrn Ireland (NI).

Norrn Ireland protocol heres to some of EU rules and regulations, and commission on Saturday insisted that because EU block did not carry out assessment of osimertinib, drug cannot be prescribed within bloc – or within Norrn Ireland. Experts lashed out at commission calling EU’s understanding of post Brexit regulations ‘an embarrassment as y reminded on British TV networks that Norrn Ireland (NI) must have same access to full range of medicines as rest of UK. 

A Belfast news journalist Sam McBride first reported on issue of EU’s blocke of a cancer drug to NI in a report, carried by News Letter, that stated EU withheld Osimertinib drug from patients in Norrn Ireland citing laws around ‘Irish Sea border’ of post-Brexit deal.

Shortly, European Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie fired tweets of denunciation at McBride saying “this is entirely incorrect”. Ors called it a disreputable attempt by Boris Johnson’s government to undermine protocol, including outgoing DUP Leer & NI First Minister  Arlene Foster.

GB and NI protocol divergence & implications

Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Norrn Ireland, Margaret Carr, warned in a statement to Mirror that divergence of regulations between GB and NI will have implications on cancer patients, who will be devoid of medication. Meanwhile, leer of Tritional Unionist Voice party, Jim Allister termed confusion a health disaster for those in need. He called for an “inquiry” as he insisted that life-giving cancer drug’s prohibition in Norrn Ireland was unfair to have been left under control of EU Medicines Agency. Being denied what fellow UK citizens can avail of is iniquity of protocol, Allister reportedly said.