EAHP EU Monitor - 24 November 2014

The EAHP EU Monitor is a regular round up of news relevant to hospital pharmacy in Europe.

You can subscribe to receive the EAHP EU Monitor by email here. 

 

Patients suffering from medicines shortages in all European countries

EAHP's latest report on medicines shortages experienced in European healthcare systems reveals that over 86% of hospital pharmacists are experiencing difficulties in sourcing medicines with 66% reporting this as a daily or weekly problem. The top affected areas are medicines to fight infection, cancer drugs and anaesthetics.

Further information here.

The EAHP secretariat would be happy to provide a national breakdown of the results for any member associations on request.

EAHP thanks again all hospital pharmacists who took the time to contribute their responses to the survey.



Jean Claude Juncker performs U-turn on EU pharmaceutical responsibilities

Following pressure from healthcare NGOs, including EAHP, EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker has reversed his previous plan to place responsibility for EU pharmaceutical issues with the Directorate General for Enterprise, and will instead leave these under the authority of the Directorate General responsible for healthcare matters.

However, he did not change his plans in respect of medical device matters. Responsibility for EU considerations in this area, including a proposal to overhaul the existing EU regulations in this area, will rest with the Enterprise Directorate General.

Further information here.



European Medicines Agency chief forced to step down after court case

Guido Rasi's three-year leadership of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has come to a premature end after a European court annulled his appointment.

The European Union Civil Service Tribunal ruled that Rasi's 2011 selection as executive director of the regulator in 2011 was invalid after a case was made against the selection procedure.

Deputy executive director Andreas Pott will take the helm on a temporary basis while the EMA and the European Commission take legal advice as to next steps.

Further information here.


EJHP: December edition online!

The European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy has published its December edition online, with articles including: 'Reflections on a career in paediatric pharmacy'; 'Working on the front line: how do you cope?'; 'Managing knowledge in evidence-based pharmacy'; and a series of other original articles and reviews.

Full edition here.