The European Commission has issued a Public Consultation on the Green Paper concerning the modernization of the professional qualification directive 2005/36/EC, in which, amongst others, the EPHA (The European Public Health Alliance), the EPF (The European Patients’ Forum), the EWL (The European Women’s Lobby) and the BEUC (The European Consumer’s Organization) took part.

It is agreed by all the above mentioned organizations that the focus of this consultation must be put on encouraging the free movement of professionals and services in order to stimulate a dynamic re-launch of the Single Market, keeping in mind the absolute priority: preservation of the quality of services and their outcomes.

EAHP also responded to the Green Paper and stressed the necessity of mutual recognition of hospital pharmacy specialisation. The concerned parties issued recommendations and opinions stressing their support on the following topics:

- Principle of partial access

- Regulated education and training

- Deletion of the levels of qualifications outlined in Art.11 and in Annex 2

- Introduction of an alert mechanism for health professionals

- Language skills

- Three-phase approach to modernization

- Extension of providing proof of the right to exercise one’s profession in cases of establishment in another Member State

- Member States should make notifications as soon as new programmes of education and training are approved or accredited

- Treatment of individuals holding third country qualifications

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