Brussels, 08/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission decided to take action before the Court of Justice against Belgium and Italy. Contrary to Community law, Belgium does not respect the provision whereby a decision on price fixing for a medicinal product and a decision on its eligibility to the health insurance reimbursement scheme must be taken within 180 days. Also, it does not respect the obligation to communicate within a given time a positive decision regarding eligibility to health insurance reimbursement. Italy, on the other hand, is being taken to court for making the marketing of nutritional products intended mainly for people making intense muscular effort, especially people practising sports, subject to a prior authorisation system. The system applies both to food products produced in Italy and to those from other Member States where they are marketed without prior authorisation. The Commission considers the system runs counter to the principle of mutual recognition which ensures that such products may circulate freely in other Member States.