On Wednesday 15 February the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) published a timeline for conducting its review of the European Commission’s proposals for reform of the Professional Qualifications Directive (PQD). The Professional Qualifications Directive is the governing piece of EU legislation for the cross-border recognition of qualifications, including pharmacy.

MEPs will have an “exchange of views” on Tuesday 28 February, consisting of a 45 minute internal discussion between members of the Committee on their initial thoughts on the December 2011 proposals from the Commission. A wider hearing with stakeholders will then be held on Wednesday 25 April with a draft report to be produced by the Committee by 12 July. Amendments to the report may be made until 15 October with formal adoption of a report envisaged on 28 November 2012. French Socialist MEP Bernadette Vergnaud is the lead rapporteur for the Committee on the modernisation of the Directive (pictured).

More information here.

EAHP are currently making representations to both the Commission and MEPs in relation to the Directive and the recognition of hospital pharmacy specialisation. Contact po@eahp.eu for more information.