[Role and functions of the European Pharmacopoeia].

Following an agreement between the Common Market on one side and the Partial Agreement of the Council of Europe on the other, it was decided in Rome in April 1963 to compile gradually a Pharmacopeia to be called "European", which would be mandatory in Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Switzerland joined the group in 1964. A Commission entrusted with full powers was created: each country is represented on it by a three-member delegation. It started its work in 1964, with prof. Marini-Bettolo as president. The work of the Commission was planned by approximately 150 experts, subdivided into about 15 groups of specialists in the various fields. The first volume was published in 1969, the second in 1971, followed by a supplement in 1973; the third volume was supposed to appear in April 1975 with another supplement planned for the end of 1975. The collection of these volumes will represent the first edition of the European Pharmacopeia and will consist of about 1,500 pages; half of these will cover general rules and the rest will include about 320 monographs. With the addition of Denmark and Ireland, which joined the Common Market at a later date, the European Pharmacopeia will be in force in an area with a population of 260 million. Any country belonging to the Council of Europe is entitled to join the Convention and several countries have already expressed the desire to do so.