Victory in Pharmaceutical Vote Oct02 |
Bashir
Khanbhai, Conservative MEP for the East of England, has scored a notable
victory in the European Parliament winning widespread approval for
amendments to EU Pharmaceutical legislation which ensure that the EU will
have appropriate regulation, cost efficiency and easy access to
medication. In
response to the concerns of local doctors, pharmacies and hospitals about
restricted supplies of essential prescription medicines, Mr Khanbhai has
succeeded in amending the Commission's proposals to guarantee an
uninterrupted supply of these medicines from industry to wholesalers,
through to hospitals, doctors and patients. Speaking
from Strasbourg, Mr. Khanbhai said: "I am totally against the quotas
for prescription medicines imposed by manufacturers on wholesalers in EU
member states. Whilst they claim that this is an attempt to curtail
parallel imports and that it does not disrupt the supply to wholesalers to
meet genuine commitments to pharmacies and hospitals, this is clearly not
the case. My amendment will ensure an uninterrupted supply of medicines
from manufacturers to wholesalers safeguarding the welfare of the patient
at the end of the supply chain." Mr.
Khanbhai's amendments will also significantly help the region's farmers
and horse owners. The Commission proposals would have required a
veterinary prescription for commonly used veterinary medicines such as
wormers, dips and a range of other products. In the UK & Ireland,
these products are readily available, without prescription, from specially
qualified persons (SQPs) in agricultural merchant outlets located in most
rural areas. Commenting
on the vote Mr Khanbhai said: "This is a major victory, especially
for our farmers. Insisting on a veterinary prescription would have meant
unnecessary additional costs and may have deterred some farmers from using
essential medicines for the welfare of their animals. There was also a significant threat to our rural
businesses. "I
want to assure our farmers, horse owners and breeders that it is possible
to influence continental colleagues to secure the appropriate legislation
in the European Parliament. I thank my colleagues for their help in
securing changes that will benefit so many." ENDS
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