Leaving the EU

[lesley12]

Will leaving the EU affect the legality of bringing B12 ampules into the UK? I currently purchase it at a high st chemist in Germany when I visit and bring it back in hold luggage. Which is ok if for personal use I believe.

[helvella]

I believe that the legal basis is unchanged. And that the text pasted below is that legal basis.

However, the willingnesss of companies to supply the UK could change dramatically. Issues like customs declarations, VAT and so on could all impact the trade.

That B12 is not prescription-only in, say, Germany, seems not to make any difference - it is in the POM in the UK. were it not POM here I don't think it would make any difference. That aspect does not affect people supplying the UK.

Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

PART 3 Manufacturing and wholesale dealing

Grant etc of licences

Manufacturing of medicinal products

17.—(1) A person may not except in accordance with a licence (a “manufacturer’s licence”)—

(a)manufacture, assemble or import from a state other than an EEA State any medicinal product; or

(b)possess a medicinal product for the purpose of any activity in sub-paragraph (a).

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to paragraphs (3) to (5).

(3) Paragraph (1) applies in relation to an investigational medicinal product only—

(a)if the product has a marketing authorisation, Article 126a authorisation, certificate of registration or traditional herbal registration; and

(b)to the extent that the manufacture or assembly of the product is in accordance with the terms and conditions of that authorisation, certificate or registration.

(4) In paragraph (3), “marketing authorisation” means—

(a)a marketing authorisation issued by a competent authority in accordance with the 2001 Directive; or

(b)an EU marketing authorisation.

(5) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person who, in connection with the importation of a medicinal product from a state other than an EEA State—

(a)provides facilities solely for transporting the product; or

(b)acting as an import agent, imports the medicinal product solely to the order of another person who holds a manufacturer’s licence authorising the importation of the product.

(6) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person who imports a medicinal product for administration to himself or herself or to any other person who is a member of that person’s household.

legislation.gov.uk/uksi/201...

[Gambit62 Administrator]

As helvella says, the basis for importing medicines for personal use will not change. Even if it did it isn't illegal to have B12 in an injectable form anyway as it is used for non-medical reasons. What may change is that you might have to declare the purchase and pay VAT.

[fbirder in reply to Gambit62]

It is the exporter who has to make the declaration.

VAT will, hopefully, be sorted out during the transition period negotiations. It's quite possible that the UK and EU might reach an agreement where we pay the VAT in the country of purchase, as we do now.

[lesley12 in reply to fbirder]

Thanks very much. I usually pick my b12 up when visiting friends in Germany. Their attitude to injecting b12 is a life line to me.

[fbirder in reply to lesley12]

If the worst comes to the worst then I suppose a trip to Berlin once a year will not be too terrible.

[Lurcher-lady in reply to fbirder]

Would the same apply to Spain......would rather visit there than Berlin?

[fbirder in reply to Lurcher-lady]

Not sure about Spain.

Thinking about it, I have friends with an apartment in Portugal. I wonder if they can get B12 OTC there.

Hmm, this post on the old forum suggests that you can - pasoc.org.uk/phpbb/viewtopi...

And it says Spain is OK.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Lurcher-lady]

I believe B12 is available over the counter in Spain - though the form available is generally cyanocobalamin

[Lurcher-lady in reply to Gambit62]

Oh maybe Germany then

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to fbirder]

There are numerous possibilities for what might happen after Brexit. No guarantee that there will be recognition of duties paid in other EU countries which would make it the same as the situation with bringing in something from outside the EU - whilst there are some amounts below which VAT won't be applied VAT is currently payable on purchases from outside the EU.

[helvella in reply to Gambit62]

I have read that the "allowance" for small value imports of £15 will be scrapped - universally. It was introduced as an EU measure to avoid excessive cost to individuals on low value items and, when we leave, we will no longer be required to abide by it.

Of course, until there is an agreement, we do not, indeed cannot, know for sure.

[helvella in reply to helvella]

More detail:

Low value consignment relief allows for goods of a low value (under £15 in the UK) to be exempt from VAT when they are imported from outside the EU. In the event of a no-deal exit, this relief would be removed for all imports, boosting import VAT and possibly removing a vehicle for fraudulent activity in the current system.

obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/Fis...

So seems only if no-deal - but I'd make no assumptions.

[th3joker]

I buy mine from Oxford Biosciences in powder form and add BAC water then put the mix into a multi use depot. All of which is available in the U.K. and arrives next day. A little more messing around but I prefer to microdose so 1ml ampoules are less convenient for me.

Oxford Biosciences: oxfordbiosciences.com/store...