Govt says problems affecting importing of medicines expected to be resolved by Thursday

In response to GBC questions, the Health Minister said deliveries of medications were being held up due to an issue with Spanish Customs.

Although the treaty has a specific exemption for medicines from the UK coming into Gibraltar, this was not yet being applied at the La Linea Customs post, with the incorrect code being applied as a result.

Gemma Arias-Vasquez said she had been assured by the Spanish authorities that this would be resolved by tomorrow morning.

She confirmed that some supplies heading to the Health Authority were among those held up.

However, she said, she was not concerned that this would affect stocks in Gibraltar, and some chemo stocks had indeed been delivered this afternoon. 

Mrs Arias-Vasquez also said there had been issues with some non-EU food coming in: although clearance checks had been carried out in France, this was not being communicated to Customs in La Linea.

This too, she said, was expected be resolved by tomorrow.

Earlier, the GSD had expressed concern over the delays to medications.

Shadow Minister for Business, Craig Sacarello, said logistical practicalities should have been prioritised earlier to avoid a "learn on the job approach" which heaps the pressure on to businesses to deliver for customers.