Firm at centre of KFC delivery chaos gets no-deal Brexit contract
The "bargain bucket" deal is criticised, but government says it's "misleading" to compare it with the delivery of chicken.
Wednesday 27 February 2019 17:13, UK
Theresa May has been accused of putting lives at risk - as she was challenged over a "bargain bucket" agreement for NHS supplies under a no-deal Brexit.
Raising the contract at PMQs, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas told MPs that DHL - a company "incapable of delivering chicken to KFC" - will be charged with importing medical supplies if Britain leaves without a deal.
The government has asked drug companies to make sure they have an additional six-week supply of drugs in case of any disruption.
DHL has been chosen to oversee the supply of one-off medical products the NHS orders directly from suppliers in Europe.
But Ms Lucas criticised the choice of DHL, given what happened with KFC last February.
The fried chicken chain changed supplier to DHL last February, with subsequent disruption leading to more than 500 of its restaurants closing. Some people called the police to complain about shortages of chicken.
Ms Lucas said: "In the event of a no-deal Brexit the government has just decided that imports of medical supplies are to be handled by the same company that forced hundreds of restaurants to close because it was incapable of delivering chicken to KFC.
"It is horrifying that the PM's stubbornness is literally putting people's lives at risk through bargain bucket supply deals.
"So what guarantee can she give to patients who are watching us now, looking at this pantomime and farce in this House now, that they will be able to get their vital medicines when they need them in the event of that no-deal Brexit?"
Mrs May replied: "The Department of Health and Social Care is taking the steps necessary to ensure that medicines are available.
"We've been clear before that it is not necessary for patients to stockpile medicines - medicines will be available.
"But if (Ms Lucas) is so concerned about the impact of no-deal - and it's no good her shaking her head - there's a very simple answer: if she doesn't want no-deal, she should support the deal."
In a written statement earlier this week, health minister Stephen Hammond said the government was confident of supplies being unaffected if Britain leaves the EU without a deal.
"While we never give guarantees, we are confident that, if everyone - including suppliers, freight companies, international partners and the health and care system - does what they need to do, the supply of medicines and medical products should be uninterrupted in the event of exiting the EU without a deal," he said.
A Department for Health spokesperson said it was "misleading" to compare the delivery of chicken with medical supplies.
They added: "DHL is one of the biggest logistics companies in the world and since 2006 has provided services for a range of products for the NHS."
A DHL spokesperson said: "DHL Supply Chain has successfully managed the NHS Supply Chain business for the past 12 years, delivering market leading productivity, safety and quality, while consistently surpassing customer targets.
"We have an inherent understanding of the handling required to facilitate this new contract and have partnered with our wider group encompassing Express, Freight and Global Forwarding, who are all market leaders in their respective fields, to ensure successful delivery."