Spotlight on the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU)

Who are we?

The Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU) was established in 1959 as an international non-profit association representing European pharmacists. It is is exclusively funded by its members. The Members of the PGEU are professional bodies and pharmacists’ associations in EU Members States, EU candidate countries and EEA Member States.

Who do we represent?

The Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU) is the European association representing community pharmacists. PGEU’s members are the national associations and professional bodies of community pharmacists in 29 European countries including EU Member States, EU candidate countries and EFTA members. Through its members, PGEU represents around 400,000 community pharmacist.

What is our mission?

Our vision is that current and new generations of community pharmacists are recognised within national health systems as key health professionals making a dynamic and evolving contribution to improving the health of the communities they serve.

As a rigorous, pro-active and constructive stakeholder our mission is to:

 promote and develop cooperation in Community Pharmacy among the European nations;
 advocate for the contribution community pharmacists make to health systems and to public health through the provision of health services and the promotion of the rational and appropriate use of medicines; and
 ensure our vision of Community Pharmacy is reflected in EU policy and legislative developments

What do we do?

The PGEU’s main objective is to see the role of the pharmacist as a fully-fledged "health professional" recognised at every level, and to help safeguard the health of all citizens of the European Union. PGEU has also many years of experience in coordinating its members’ activities both at European and at national level. The PGEU mission, values, policies and annual reports are available on www.pgeu.eu. PGEU is an active member of the EU Health Policy Forum, DG SANCO’s Patient Safety and Quality of Care Working Group, and the EMEA Health Professionals Working Group.

How do you get involved?

PGEU is usually open to develop interactions with different stakeholders and identify common areas of interest that may impact Pharmacy practice and public health. In addition, PGEU welcomes any request for information referring to pharmaceutical policy and pharmacy practice. You can reach us at pharmacy@pgeu.eu, or by phone (Tel. +32 2 2380818). You can also visit our website at www.pgeu.eu to learn more about our activities.

Please let us know of your interest in our organisation so we can add you to our stakeholders’ database and you can receive our quarterly newsletter ‘Pharmacy Insight’.

Related EPHA Articles

PGEU statements on cancer, H1N1 pandemic influenza and antimicrobial resistance

article 3541

PGEU win in access to Commission documents

EU community pharmacists’ contribution to public health

*Updated* PGEU lunchtime Parliamentary debate on Adherence to medicines in Europe