The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7218 p471
5 October 2002

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Regulatory bodies warn of risks of free movement of staff

Attention has been drawn to a European proposal that health care regulators believe threatens public safety.

A letter in the Daily Telegraph on 1 October, signed by the presidents and chairmen of eight of the United Kingdom's professional regulatory bodies, including the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, expresses profound concern that the proposal would allow foreign professionals to practise in Britain for up to 16 weeks without being registered (PJ, 27 July, p123).

"We regard this is completely unacceptable," they say. "It is against our own efforts as regulators, and those of the Government, to put public protection first and runs counter to the principles of human health protection enshrined in the Treaty of Rome."

The regulators say that their view is supported by both patient and consumer groups and call on the European Commission to drop its plan.

The proposal was subject to a hearing in the European Parliament that on 1 October.