Pharmacists should enjoy genuine professional independence to ensure public protection

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) passed a judgement on May 19th 2009 entitled:

OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF PHARMACIES CAN BE RESTRICTED TO PHARMACISTS ALONE

Judgments of the Court of Justice in Case C-531/06 and in Joined Cases C-171/07 and C-172/07Commission v Italy, Apothekerkammer des Saarlandes and Others

Italian and German legislation laying down such a rule is justified by the objective of ensuring that the provision of medicinal products to the public is reliable and of good quality

ECJ Press release

On 30th June 2011 the English Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society agreed the following statement.

Minutes of the meeting of the English Pharmacy Board - Open business

In May 2009 the European Court of Justice (ECJ) found against the European Commission and in favour of Italy and Germany in cases involving the right of those States to restrict the ownership of pharmacies to pharmacists alone. The Court decided this restriction was justified in those particular circumstances because of the protection it provides to public health, more specifically by the objective of ensuring that the provision of medicinal products to the public is reliable and of good quality. The Court also said that it has not been established that another measure less than the rule excluding non-pharmacists from ownership would make it possible to ensure just as effectively the level of reliability and quality in the provision of medicinal products to the public. The law in Great Britain does not currently restrict ownership to pharmacists alone.

The EPB wishes to work with government, other representative bodies and employers to bring forward recommendations to ensure pharmacists can practice in an atmosphere of professional freedom that allows them to provide the highest levels of public service and protection. In order to achieve this the EPB in its role as part of the RPS is currently involved in the review of the Responsible Pharmacist regulations, the fundamental review of the Medicine Act and is currently moving forward with its workplace pressure campaign through the promotion of professional
empowerment.

This petition is the personal initiative of Graeme Stafford and is not endorsed by any organisation. Anyone who signs it should also do so in a personal capacity.