Directive 2001/83/EC on medicinal products for human use replaces directives 65/65/EEC, 75/318/EEC, 75/319/EEC, 89/342/EEC, 89/343/EEC, 89/381/EEC, 92/25/EEC, 92/26/EEC, 92/27/EEC, 92/28/EEC and 92/73/EEC, four of which made amendments to the others. The new directive was made on 6 November and came into force immediately.

The same step has been taken with European legislation on veterinary medicines. Directive 2001/82/EC replaces
directives 81/851/EEC, 81/852/EEC, 90/677/EEC and 92/74/EEC.