EAHP has recently met with MEPs to outline how the Directive on the Mutual Recognition of Qualificationscould be improved to facilitate recognition procedures for specialisations.

The Association has recently held meetings with the office of Andreas Schwab MEP (EPP, Germany), ChristelSchaldemose (PSE, Denmark) and this week spoke with Emma McCLarkin MEP (ECR, UK). Ms Mclarkin is responsible for preparing a shadow rapporteur report on the Directive on behalf of the Parliament’s European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR).

The European Commission is proposing to reform rules on the establishment of “Common Platforms” which is a means by which automatic recognition of a qualification can be established. The reforms will lower the barriers to establishing a platform, and enable a flexible approach to be taken to the establishment of automatic qualification recognition. This includes, for example, giving a leading role to national professional associations in mapping the criteria for recognition, and permitting the framework to be based on a competence criteria (rather than, for example, a duration-based criteria).

However, as currently proposed, the reforms to the Common Platform mechanism will not be allowed to apply to the 7 “sectoral professions” of which pharmacy is one (alongside others such as medicine, dentistry and nursing). EAHP, and other organisations such as the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), are asking MEPs to amend this aspect of the Directive in order to facilitate recognition of specialisations.

So far MEPs have taken on board the EAHP’s main briefing points and have undertaken to consider the issue further during the deliberations of the European Parliament’s political groups in the coming months. The first Rapporteur report on the proposed reforms to Directive 2005/36/EC is expected in mid-July. After the summer vacation other Rapporteur reports will be published and MEPs will begin to consider and vote on individual amendments to the Directive.

Elsewhere this week, the European Council of Ministers gave consideration to some of the main aspects of the proposed reforms to the Directive, including the establishment of a system of cross-border “Professional Cards” and the Commission’s suggestions on how to reduce the overall number of regulated professions in the EU (estimated at 800). Some countries have voiced misgivings about the costs of implementing the new professional card system set against the benefits it is likely to deliver. Lithuania has called for an impact study including a cost-benefit analysis. The regulation of the notary profession and the length of time required for nursing education continue to be contentious areas of discussion. More here.

EAHP will continue to meet with MEPs in the weeks ahead and is encouraging its National Member Associations to assist by making representations to their national politicians and health ministries.

More information and briefing materials are available from the Policy and Advocacy Officer Richard Price at po[at]eahp[dot]eu