(This note is not part of the Regulations)
Directive 2005/36/EC (“the Directive”) which concerns the recognition of professional qualifications aims to facilitate free movement of persons between member States of the European Community by setting out principles and procedures which member States are to apply in determining the rights of migrants to pursue professions which require professional qualifications. These regulations, which are made under powers conferred in the Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, by the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, prescribe the requirements to be complied with by a migrant applying to the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland for registration as a pharmaceutical chemist in Northern Ireland.
Article 50(1) and Annex VII of the Directive specify documents which a competent authority may require from a migrant seeking to establish himself in the pharmacy profession in a different relevant European state.
Article 51(1) of the Directive requires the relevant European State to acknowledge receipt of applications within one month of receipt and provides for a time limit within which competent authorities must deal with applications for establishment.