WRITTEN QUESTION E-2715/03 by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission. Rohypnol.
Date: 2003-09-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer information, crime, fight against crime, market approval, medicinal product, physical aggression, sexual violence, tranquiliser

C 58 E/200

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

Is the Commission aware of claims for damages in the case of wrongful births?

Can the Commission put a figure on the number of legal actions for wrongful birth in the EU?

Does the Commission intend to draft regulations on wrongful births? What is the Commission’s view of
the recent change in French law which now stipulates that no one can bring a claim for damages solely on
the grounds of having been born?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 2003)

The issue of claims for damages in cases of wrongful births does not fall within the Community’s sphere of
competence.

The responsibility for health care lies with the Members States. The Commission is not able to intervene in
this respect and therefore does not intend to present draft regulations on wrongful births given that the EC
Treaty does not provide for the possibility for the Community to adopt harmonisation measures with
regard to measures intended to protect and emporia human health.

For the same reason, the Commission is not in a position to react to the recent change of a French law on
claims for damages.

(2004/C 58 E/215)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2715/03

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject: Rohypnol

In Belgium there have recently been cases of the prescription drug Rohypnol being used in cases of assault
and rape. A number of unsuspecting tourists were robbed after eating biscuits containing Rohypnol. They
have also been instances of women being raped after their drinks were spiked with Rohypnol. Rohypnol is
known to be a strong sedative and can induce blackouts and memory loss. This makes it difficult to track
down offenders. In the United States the substance has now been banned and Rohypnol is equated with
cocaine and heroin. In Belgium too, pharmacists are calling for a ban on Rohypnol.

Is the Commission aware of the misuse of Rohypnol by criminals?

Does the Commission intend to ban Rohypnol?

If not, what is the Commission doing to combat the misuse of Rohypnol?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2003)

Rohypnol
authorised in various Member States for the treatment of severe insomnia.

(chemical name flunitrazepam)

is a medicine of the benzodiazepine class.

It is nationally

The Commission is aware of reports of Rohypnol being misused by criminals. The Commission is aware of
reports of other psychoactive medicines,
including other members of the benzodiazipine class being
misused. Rohypnol has been shown to be effective in the treatment of the severe insomnia and the
Commission does not intend to ban its use. However, various actions have been taken or are planned at a

6.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58 E/201

Member State level to reduce the potential for criminal misuse of Rohypnol. These include reformulating
the medicine to make it more difficult to administer covertly and informing healthcare professionals and
the public of the risk of misuse.

(2004/C 58 E/216)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2716/03

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject: Radar detectors

A whole range of detector systems for speed checks are available on the European market. One of these is
the British RoadPilot, a new high-tech GPS receiver which warns motorists when they are approaching an
unmanned camera and tells them whether or not they need to reduce their speed. Unlike all other
detectors, the RoadPilot is not banned in Belgium because it does not detect police radar which is illegal in
Belgium. However, Belgians can acquire police radar detectors in the Netherlands where they are legal. As a
result, many motorists are driving around with radar detection systems.

Road safety experts have drawn attention to the dangers of detection systems of this kind. They point out
that there are drivers who brake suddenly when they receive a signal and then speed up again once they
have passed the speed detection device.

What is the Commission’s attitude to radar detectors?

Is the Commission aware of the commercial success of these speed camera detector systems?

Does it not agree that radar detectors are dangerous for road safety?

Does it intend to draw up European regulations on this matter?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2004/C 58 E/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2719/03

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Follow-up question on the problems of frontier students

(11 September 2003)

From its answer of 27 August to Written Question E-2534/03 (1), it appears that the Commission does
have the authority to encourage cooperation between Member States in the area of education and the
organisation of education systems. What steps is it prepared to take in this sphere?

(1) OJ C 33 E, 6.2.2004.