EAHP EU Monitor - 26 May 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. 

 

World Health Assembly passes resolutions on antimicrobial drug resistance and access to medicines

The 67th World Health Assembly in Geneva closed its session on 24th May, after adopting more than 20 resolutions on public health issues of global importance, including antimicrobial drug resistance, access to medicines and health technology assessment.

On antimicrobial drug resistance, delegates expressed their growing concern of antimicrobial resistance and urged governments to strengthen national action and international collaboration. This requires sharing information on the extent of resistance and the use of antibiotics in humans and animals. It also involves improving awareness among health providers and the public of the threat posed by resistance, the need for responsible use of antibiotics, and the importance of good hand hygiene and other measures to prevent infections.

The resolution urges Member States to strengthen drug management systems, to support research to extend the lifespan of existing drugs, and to encourage the development of new diagnostics and treatment options.

As requested in the resolution, the World Health Organisation (WHO) will develop a draft global action plan to combat antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance for presentation to the World Health Assembly for approval next year.

On access to medicines the World Health Assembly approved the World Health Organisation’s strategy to help countries improve access to essential medicines. Key principles include selecting a limited range of medicines on the basis of the best evidence available, efficient procurement, affordable prices, effective distribution systems, and rational use. The WHO Essential medicines list was recognized as a valuable tool that enables countries to identify a core set of medicines which need to be available to provide quality medical care.

On regulatory system strengthening, the World Health Assembly mandated the World Health Organisation to continue its important role globally in medicines regulation through establishing necessary norms and standards, supporting regulatory capacity-building and strengthening safety monitoring programmes.

On health technology assessment, following the adoption of a resolution, WHO will support capacity-building for health technology assessment in countries. It will provide tools and guidance to prioritize health technologies and intensify networking and information exchange among countries to support priority setting.

More information here: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/WHA-20140524/en/
 

 


 

European Medicines Agency and European Ombudsman dispute clinical trial transparency plans

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has rejected suggestions by the European Ombudsman that the EMA could undermine the public's right of access to clinical trial data if it proceeds with its draft policy relating to public access to the data.

The move comes after European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly, who is responsible for investigating alleged maladministration in EU institutions and bodies, wrote to the EMA expressing concern at "what appears to be a significant change of policy concerning clinical trial data transparency".

After examining the EMA's draft policy relating to public access to the data, the Ombudsman's office said the EMA is envisaging limiting access to clinical trial data by imposing "strict confidentiality requirements". According to the Ombudsman, this would include allowing data only to be seen on screen using an interface provided by the EMA. The Ombudsman also said that the EMA also envisages imposing "wide restrictions" on the use of such data.

The EMA has denied this is the case, saying it intends to make the information publicly accessible online, and that restrictions are designed to prevent those who access the information using it for commercial gain.

More information here: http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2014/may/european-medicines-agency-re...

 


 

Photographs from European Summit on Hospital Pharmacy now available

Journalists, EAHP Member Associations, and others wishing to publicise the finalization of European Statements of Hospital Pharmacy should be aware that a wide range of photographs from the European Summit on Hospital Pharmacy are now available on the EAHP website , with permission and licence for reuse.

Photographs here: http://www.eahp.eu/press-room/multi-media/european-summit-hospital-pharm...

Press release here: http://www.eahp.eu/press-room/patients-and-professionals-agree-future-ho...

 


EJHP June 2014 edition now available!

The June 2014 edition of the European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy is now available!

EJHP Editor Phil Wiffen discusses the value of peer review in a special editorial. The key role of hospital pharmacists in medicine reconciliation is explored in a large study from England covering 45 hospitals. The impact of such services, especially with elderly patients, is highlighted in a study from Sweden. The recent 19th Congress of the EAHP in Barcelona is also reported, as well as a high level event on the topic of barcoding of medicines in UZ Leuven, Belgium.  The edition also features an article on the effect of Denosumab and a letter highlighting a new website compiling the literature on pharmacist impact.

More information here: http://ejhp.bmj.com/content/early/2014/04/28/ejhpharm-2013-000393.full