asked the Minister for Health what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation 383 on the institution of a European Pharmacopoeia, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 16th January, 1964; and whether the Government is prepared to participate shortly in the Pharmacopoeia.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Council of Europe Recommendation: European Pharmacopoeia.
2.
The recommendation referred to by the Deputy relates to proposals for the establishment of a European Pharmacopoeia which have been made by an expert committee of the Council of Europe—the Public Health Committee (Partial Agreement)—specially constituted to carry on earlier work in this and other public health fields by the former Brussels Treaty Organisation, or Western European Union. Only the States formerly members of that organisation (viz. Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) have members on this expert committee. The recommendation concerns only the seven member countries of the Partial Agreement. Other member States of the Council of Europe are not called upon to take any initiative in the matter at this stage.
Having regard to the Pharmacopoeia Act, 1931, under which the same pharmacopoeia is recognised in this country as in Great Britain, this State has, however, a special interest in this proposal. Developments in the matter will be watched but, as the issues as to whether or not a European Pharmacopoeia will be prepared or the form and content of such a pharmacopoeia are not yet decided by the member countries of the Partial Agreement, the question of this country's participation does not yet arise.