EAHP EU Monitor - 27 May 2016

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. 

 

2015 EAHP Survey: Managers urged to support systems to reduce medication error

The latest results from EAHP's annual survey of hospital pharmacy practice are now available. A headline result from the almost 1000 responses from 33 countries is a perceived lack of support from hospital managers for the implementation of computerised decision support systems to reduce the risk of medication errors. More information here.

 

O'Neill Report on AMR: Funding for antimicrobial specialists should be improved

A landmark report into the global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has delivered wide ranging advice to international governments and agencies, including the need to improve funding for AMR specialities, such as those within the medical, nursing and pharmacy fields.

The recommendation comes within the long-awaited "O'Neill Report" which was commissioned in 2014 by U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and the Wellcome Trust and published on 19 May 2016. Economist Jim O'Neill led the compilation of the report.

10 headline recommendations are selected for inclusion in the report's Executive Summary, of which the 7th is "Improve the numbers, pay and recognition of people working in infectious disease".

Explaining the rationale for the recommendation, the report states: "focusing on AMR-related specialties is often less rewarding financially and in terms of prestige than other areas of science and medicine. To change this we need an urgent rethink and improved funding to improve career paths and rewards in these fields."

Other recommendations in the report include:

A "massive" global public awareness campaign

The report suggests this should be in the order of up to 100m USD a year.

Improving hygiene at a global level to prevent the spread of infection

This should include expanding access to clean water and sanitation in parts of the world where this cannot be taken for granted.

Reducing unnecessary use of antimicrobials in agriculture

Agricultural practice in the USA is picked out for criticism. Improvement can be achieved by the use of targets, milestones, legal restrictions and greater transparency to consumers about antibiotic use in their meat.

Improved global surveillance

The World Health Organisation is suggested as best placed to give oversight to such improvement and coordination

Rapid diagnostics to reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics

The report suggests a Global Innovation Fund for AMR to support such technological development.

Development of vaccines and alternatives

The creation of a Global Innovation Fund for AMR

To be endowed with 2 billion USD over five years.

An improved incentive environment for new antibiotics

The report suggests a system of market entry rewards of around one billion USD per drug for effective treatments

Leadership by the G20 and UN in delivering an enhanced global response to the AMR threat

Commenting on the O'Neill Report, Tajda Miharija Gala, EAHP Vice-President, and spokesperson on AMR issues, commented:

"This report is a very welcome entry to the urgent debate on what more needs to happen at the global level to successfully meet the AMR threat. Many of the recommendations can be wholeheartedly supported by the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists, such as the need to improve funding for antimicrobial specialist pharmacists in hospitals.

As applies to achieving any significant change, if Governments are serious about improving prudent use of antibiotics in the hospital sector, then it is of vital importance that they assign leadership responsibilities. Specialist pharmacists should be key parts of antibiotic stewardship programmes in hospitals across Europe.

I hope forthcoming Council conclusions about antimicrobial resistance, to be formed under the Dutch Presidency of the EU, will reflect seriously on the solid recommendations of the O'Neill report, as well as the input they are receiving from healthcare professional stakeholders."

More information here

 

New research collaboration formed to study medicines shortages in Europe

A new pan-European initiative has been formed to investigate causes, impacts and potential solutions to the shortages of medicines experienced across all European countries.

Taking place under the long-establised EU programme "Cooperation in Science and Technology" (COST), the network of interested researchers and individuals so far spans 20 countries and a multiplicity of professional backgrounds and expertise.

The programme will last for 4 years and will operate via a series of working groups investigating such issues as the landscape of medicines shortages; manufacturing-related shortages; logistics-related shortages; therapeutic options and substitutions; and the impact of shortages on outcomes.

The Chair of the "Action" is Professor Helena Jenzer from the Bern University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland, with Dr Roberto Frontini, the immediate past President of EAHP), as deputy chair.

More information about the Action is available here

Commenting on the new Action, EAHP Board Member and spokesperson on medicines shortages, Aida Batista remarked:

"On behalf of EAHP, I send my strongest congratulations to Prof Jenzer in bringing together this project on the pressing topic of medicines shortages. With patient care being harmed on a daily basis by supply shortages, this kind of collaboration to shine a light on the causes and available remedies is to be much welcomed. We send our best wishes to the participants and look forward to forthcoming outputs."

To make sure your country is involved, contact your national COST coordinater. Information available here.

 

EJHP: May 2016 Edition now online!

The May 2016 edition of the European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (EJHP) includes an original article assessing drug related problems and their impact on blood pressure control in patients with hypertension, and an original article on pharmaceutical care in a long-stay psychiatric hospital.

More information here