MEPs try to block unregulated European free movement plan
Members of the European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee have voted against a plan to allow pharmacists and other health professionals to work anywhere in Europe for up to 16 weeks a year without having to register in the country they are in.
The free movement plan is opposed by the Alliance of UK Health Regulators on Europe (AURE), which includes the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. AURE
said that without prior registration regulatory bodies will be unable
to assess individuals’ fitness to practise or to take action in
the event of a complaint. Dr Gill Hawksworth, President of the Society,
said before the vote: “While we welcome the free movement of professionals
throughout the European Union, we are seriously concerned at the proposal
to allow an individual to work unregistered for any period of time and
for the impact that this could have on patient safety.”
The Legal Affairs Committee approved amendments last week that will require
professionals to register in host member states before being allowed
to practise. The move has been welcomed by AURE. Lobbying of MEPs will
continue ahead of a full vote in the parliament on 17 December. |
