The EDQM supports healthcare systems throughout Europe and protects public health by providing the legally binding and harmonised standards of the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), which define the quality of medicines and their ingredients and contribute to increasing the availability of medicines. By co-ordinating testing programmes, the EDQM helps to ensure the quality of medicines on the European market. The EDQM’s work and guidance on pharmaceutical care, transplantation, transfusion, cosmetics and food contact materials and articles ensure that the best scientific knowledge available in these fields is disseminated throughout Europe and made available to all professionals concerned.