The European Medicines Evaluation Agency was established in 1995 in London on behalf of the European Union and regulates the standardization and harmonization in medicine applications for marketing authorization from 1995 on. The European Commission has been the driving force in the anticipation of international cooperation and research for harmonization standards. This volume provides an overview of contributions from academic, regulatory and pharmaceutical world on the current state, proposed methods and strategies for future research.

The proteolytic enzymes have an essential function in all cells. Their activities are regulated by the rate of synthesis, activation of proenzymes and by the rate of synthesis of their inhibitors. They are synthesized in ribosomes like any other proteins and transported to various storage organelles or secreted from the cells and are activated in the pericellular space or in interstitium. Various cells and tissues have their characteristic enzyme patterns which serve their specific functions. Proteolytic enzymes take part and often have a regulatory role in numerous phases of cell function,...

Healthcare and its financing will not be harmonized within the EU. This work combines studies in economics, law, and the social, political and health sciences in its analysis of health care and its financing in and between member states.

In recent years there have been tremendous advances in the fields of chemistry, physics and biology which have a direct impact on advances in biomaterials science. Many areas of healthcare depend upon the development of novel biomaterials. This book contains contribution from scientists who have made numerous innovative and exciting advances in the field of biomedical materials. The latest advances in the field are covered including studies of cell interactions with biomaterials. The assessment of the potential applications for the development of new biomaterials, tissue engineering and...

This text reviews past successes and failures within the field of drug metabolism and attempts to predict new directions that may be taken in the 21st century.

The aim of this work is to provide an inventory of gerontological research, and to develop the outline of a cross-European bio-behavioural and psychosocial survey study of ageing.

The objective of the EURO-QUAL programme has been to improve the quality of care for the individual patient. At the same time the need for harmonisation of health care in Europe was recognised. This Quality Improvement System (QIS) for orthodontic care in Europe comprises of 'Guidelines for how to implement a QIS' and reference material from the project teams: Financial Resources, Professional Development, Consumer Satisfaction, and Industrial Co-operation. In this respect the following topics are discussed: * The differences and similarities in local (national) quality initiatives. * The use...

The benefits for the professional working within a quality culture are manifold, but even more important, the patient is the final arbiter of quality care. Therefore patient centred aspects of treatment are focused upon in this manual. A quality manual intended for European use has to respect the national regulations and European diversity, and therefore needs to be flexible. The EOQM has been structured according to the treatment of the individual patient, which is what all professionals have in common, and which also is the most important target for quality improvement in orthodontic...

The three keywords, Orthodontics, Europe and Quality represent the important issues in this book, describing the EURO-QUAL, BIOMED 1 Programme. In this Programme, individuals and representatives of institutions have been asked to contribute to the discussion on the development of a quality system for orthodontic care. The philosophy of Total Quality Management was adopted and specific emphasis was given to patient quality. When considering how the structure and quality of European orthodontic care continuously can be improved, there are certain conditions which are difficult to modify. From...