How can quality of health care be safeguarded across the European Union?

摘要

The European Union (EU) is built on the concept of free movement of goods, services, people, and capital. Laws enacted to implement and protect these freedoms impact on the healthcare sector. For example, to facilitate professional mobility, qualifications obtained in one country are automatically recognised in others. Citizens can travel freely within Europe, reassured that they will have access to health care should an emergency arise. The licensing of new drugs and medical devices is harmonised across Europe. But can Europe's citizens be confident that any care received in another EU country will be safe and of high quality?