By Sam Blanchard Health Reporter For Mailonline
Published: 16:12 GMT, 7 February 2019 | Updated: 17:19 GMT, 7 February 2019
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The Dutch government is desperately trying to get access to life-saving medicines from the UK in case of a no-deal Brexit.
Lives could be put at risk in the Netherlands if drug supplies across the Channel are interrupted, hospitals there have warned.
The country's health minister, Bruno Bruins, said the government had identified 50 vital medicines which have no suitable alternatives on the Dutch market.
But he refused to reveal the names of the drugs out of fear other countries would hoard them.
Dutch health minister Bruno Bruins said the country is working to secure access to medicines to treat life-threatening illnesses and vulnerable people in case there is a shortage in the event of a no-deal Brexit
The Netherlands' revelation is the latest sign of nervousness about how Brexit will affect healthcare in Britain and Europe.
Concerns have been raised about the UK struggling to import drugs, but a lacklustre trading agreement could damage the health of our European neighbours, too.
Mr Bruins's admission comes just a week after UK Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, said the UK's Brexit crisis plans would 'prioritise medicines over food'.
Dutch authorities scoured a list of 2,700 medicines to find the 50, which treat life-threatening diseases or vulnerable