The revised terms of reference of the Group responsible for drafting this new legal instrument were adopted by the Ministers’ Deputies at their 1031st meeting (2 July 2008). The group (composed of 11 specialists and with participation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as well as a number of Member States’ delegations as observers) held a series of six meetings in Strasbourg to prepare the draft Convention on Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Products and Similar Crimes Involving Threats to Public Health. The last meeting, at which a draft text of the Convention was adopted, took place on 2 – 4 February 2009. The terms of reference of the PC-S-CP expired on 28 February 2009.

A new plenary committee (PC-ISP) with the participation of all Member States, Observers and other International Organisations has been created to negotiate and finalise the Convention.

The specific terms of reference of the PC-ISP were adopted by the Ministers’ Deputies at their 1031st meeting (2 July 2008). These terms of reference will expire on 31 December 2009. Two negotiating sessions are foreseen in total. The Convention is expected to be opened for signature in 2010.