asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) that the free movement of pharmaceuticals among the member states of the EEC will come into effect in 1976; and if he will state whether this report is correct.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Movement of Pharmaceuticals.
1.
The report to which the Deputy refers is not correct.
At the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the EEC on 11th February, to which the report relates, there was general agreement in principle to two draft directives on the free movement of proprietary medicinal products. These draft directives embody further provisions to approximate the laws of member states under which proprietary medicines are marketed in the various member states. The initial steps in this direction were taken by Directive No. 65/65 adopted on the 26th January, 1965, which we in this country have given effect to by the European Communities (Proprietary Medicinal Products) Regulations, 1974.
Neither the directive of 1965 nor the draft directives to which I have referred make provision that an authorisation to market a proprietary medicinal product granted in one member state conveys an absolute right of access by that product to the markets of the other member states. That is the ultimate goal in the creation of a common market in medicines, but it may be some way off so far as I can see at present.
Will the Minister for Health tell the House if the free movement of pharmaceuticals applies to devices intended to prevent conception?
It has not yet been determined whether these are drugs or appliances.
Would the Minister for Health define what is a chemical device in the context of an agreement between the Common Market countries?
That is a separate question.