Statement by TUV Comber councillor Stephen Cooper:
“Today’s warning from the Health Minister that almost 1,000 medicines are set to be withdrawn while a further 2,400 are at risk underscores the accuracy of TUV’s predictions on the issue some months ago.
“Disease does not discriminate against anyone. It takes no account of anyone’s politics. But now we see that Northern Ireland patients are set to be at a practical disadvantage from other parts of our country because we have been left behind under the EU Medical Agency while Great Britain has broken free.
“Those who have called for the “rigorous implementation” have some explaining to do. Potentially life-saving drugs could be denied to the people of Northern Ireland because of laws into which we have no input and over which we have no democratic control.
“Here we see that opposition to the Sea Border is no mere philosophical argument but something which has profoundly serious ramifications for the people of Northern Ireland. Tinkering, grace periods and easements are not enough. It has to go.
“TUV remains clear – there is one solution to this and a myriad of other problems. The Protocol has to go. No Sea Border!”