The single market –what’s in it for hospital pharmacists?

The European Commission has launched a public debate on a package of about 50 measures to revamp the Europe’s single market and stimulate economic growth and employment. The new “Single European Act” includes proposals to review EU rules in areas such as public procurement and mutual recognition of professional qualifications (MRPQ) which have direct implications for pharmacists. Read more...

A new opportunity for the recognition of specialisation in hospital pharmacy?

The European Commission has published more than 170 reports from national authorities offering insight into how EU rules on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications (MRPQ) work in practice in EU members states. The MRPQ rules make it easier for pharmacists to seek employment opportunities in other EU countries by establishing EU wide minimum training requirements which give automatic recognition of their professional qualifications. Read more...

EU Citizens Report 2010 emphasizes need for better e-health access

The “EU Citizens Report 2010” recently published by the European Commission identifies 25 obstacles which EU citizens face in exercising their rights across borders and suggests measures to tackle them.

With regard to health, the Commission highlights that European citizens are not fully benefitting from cross border healthcare and e-health technology.Read more...

A step closer to an agreement on cross border healthcare

Members of the European Parliament’s Public Health Committee have voted on proposals to strengthen patients’ rights to cross border healthcare and have maintained views which are likely to prove controversial with national Governments.

The European Commission’s proposal on cross border health care aims to give patients more legal certainty about their rights to seek healthcare in another EU country and to reinforce cooperation between EU countries. Read more...

The Belgian Presidency reports on EU health priorities

Belgium currently holds the Presidency of the European Union and recently updated health stakeholders on the progress being made at ministerial level on EU health priorities. The presentation was part of a meeting of the EU Health Policy Forum which is organised by the Commission to brief public health stakeholders on the latest news and policy developments. Read more...