WRITTEN QUESTION E-0847/01 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Blister packs containing medicines.
Date: 2001-03-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: competence of the Member States, consumer information, medicinal product, physically disabled person, preparation for market

C 350 E/50

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

(2001/C 350 E/051)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0847/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 March 2001)

Subject: Blister packs containing medicines

There is concern surrounding the increase in the amount of medication being packaged in blister packs.
This has serious implications for blind and partially-sighted people, who cannot distinguish one type of
medication from another if, once the external packaging is removed, each strip appears identical.

Has the Commission given any consideration to this problem and to how it might be overcome?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2001)

While aware of the problem raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission recalls that responsibility
for the choice of the pharmaceutical form and the packaging of medicinal products lies with the holder of
the authorisation for placing the product on the market. Community law does not regulate these aspects
beyond requiring that package leaflets and outer packaging give patients information on medicinal
products (Council Directive 92/27/EEC of 31 March 1992 on the labelling of medicinal products for
human use and on package leaflets (1)). Information to be provided on small packaging such as blister
packs is also laid down. It should also be stressed that Community law permits information in Braille to be
provided on outer packaging.

Without overlooking the difficulties which certain patients encounter, the Commission and the Member
States are at pains to ensure that the mandatory information laid down by the regulations is included in
the packaging and is legible.

Lastly, it should be noted that blister packs permit better preservation of medicinal products.

(1) OJ L 113, 30.4.1992.

(2001/C 350 E/052)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0849/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 March 2001)

Subject: Number of slaughterhouses

Will the Commission list the number of licensed slaughterhouses in each Member State in the most recent
year for which figures are available, five years ago, 10 years ago and 15 years ago?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 2001)

Member States are required to maintain a list of approved establishments under a range of Community
legislation on veterinary health and food hygience. These lists include, for example, slaughterhouses, meat
processing plants and rendering plants. These lists are required to be updated and circulated to the
Commission and the Member States. Examples are to be found on the website of the Directorate General
for Health and Consumer Protection at the following address (http://forum.europa.eu.int/irc/sanco/vets/
info/data/listes/public-ms.html). This site is under further development and will be expanded in scope and
coverage in line with information requested from the Member States.