WRITTEN QUESTION E-2132/98

by Alfonso Novo Belenguer (ARE) to the Commission

(10 July 1998)

Subject: The euro and pharmaceutical packaging

Spain's Law 25/1990 of 20 December 1990 on medicines stipulates that, inter alia, the price and expiry date should feature on the packaging of pharmaceutical products.

At present, the prices on the packaging of all pharmaceutical products in Spain are quoted in pesetas.

The entry into force of the provisions on the single currency in the European Union envisages an initial transition period in which prices are to be given in euros and pesetas alike, before the obligation to quote prices in euros alone takes effect at a later stage.

This is a complex and problematic situation, insofar as some pharmaceutical products already on the market have packaging with prices in pesetas and are not due to expire until 2003.

Given this situation, does the Commission intend to take measures or action to alleviate the high costs involved in taking these products off the market and re-labelling them with prices quoted in euros?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(21 September 1998)

Council Directive 92/27/EEC on the labelling of medicinal products for human use and on package leaflets(1) does not require the price to be indicated on the label. However, Article 5 of this Directive indicates that Member States may require the price on the label. Spain has made use of that option in the medicine law 25/190. Unless modified by the Spanish legislature, the obligation to include a price on the label of pharmaceutical products will continue to apply and convert into an obligation to display the price in euros as of 1 January 2002.

As established in the Commission's recommendation on the dual display of prices and financial values, there will be no legal obligation established at Community level for retailers to have dual displays during the transitional period. However, the Commission is encouraging retailers, where possible, to dual display a significant number of products with a view to facilitating the changeover for consumers and employees.

Pharmacies, like all enterprises and retailers, should be preparing for introduction of the euro, including the pricing of goods in euros which must take place no later than 1 January 2002. Inevitably, some cost will arise from technical modifications to equipment and software, and from having staff devoted to the implementation of the changeover.

However, there is no reason to think that pharmacies will face relatively higher costs associated with the re-labelling of products having shelf-lives going beyond January 2002. Such challenges will be faced by many retail sectors and for many products, e.g. books. Moreover, re-labelling occurs frequently today to cope with price changes. Finally, pharmacies should consider having dual displays of prices during the transitional period, thereby overcoming the need for any relabelling at January 2002.

For these reasons, the Commission does not intend to take specific measures targeted at the pharmaceutical industry associated with the introduction of the euro. Instead, the Commission will continue to provide assistance to enterprises in all sectors with a view to achieving a smooth and cost effective changeover to the euro. This explains why the Commission, in its recommendation, is promoting dialogue and co-operative solutions.

(1) OJ L 113, 13.4.1992.