in these countries it is illegal to prescribe scrips (prescriptions) and perform operations without the basic degree; also usual is the membership of appropriate medical and/or surgical societies. the societies (such as the british medical association) act as a kind of sophisticated trades union for doctors. in the british system, the general medical council has legal authority for the medical register of doctors licensed to practice medicine. they can and do hold tribunals to decide whether doctors accused of misdeeds should be struck off the medical register. therefore, to practice it is necessary not only to hold the medical degree(s), but also to be on the register.