10 February 2023 - Join #EAHP2023 in Lisbon!

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

 

Register for EAHP's 27th Congress

In 40 days, the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) will be hosting the largest gathering of hospital pharmacists in Europe. Join professionals from all around the globe from 22 to 24 March in Lisbon, Portugal for EAHP's 27th Congress focused on "From drug design to treatment success – What really matters to patients?".

This year's Synergy Satellite Event (sponsored by an educational grant from CSL Vifor) will be focused on "Non-Biologic Complex Drugs (and nano medicines)". Non-Biological Complex Drugs (NBCDs) are drugs that comprise large high molecular weight molecules and, often, nanoparticles structures. In this category we currently include glatiramoids, iron oxide carbohydrate nanoparticles, liposomes, and polymeric micelles. Those participating in the Synergy Satellite Event will be able to explain their newly acquired understanding of NBCDs, describe how pharmacists must be involved in NBCD evaluation, understand the different approvals pathways of NBCD and list examples of NBCDs. Those interested in learning more about NBCDs can join the Synergy Satellite Event on 22 March from 17.15 to 18.45.

Two of EAHP's Special Interest Groups (SIGs) will share the results of their work on 22 March between 10.30 and 12.00. The presentation titled "The EAHP roadmap toward eliminating avoidable harm" will elucidate root causes and recommend measures reducing avoidable harm within the supply, preparation and safe administration of medicines in European hospitals. During the second presentation "Investigation of Medication Errors in Intensive Care Units" participants will be familiarised with the policy recommendations that the SIG develop to enhance medication safety which may contribute to reducing medication errors in ICUs across Europe.

Register for EAHP's 27th Congress HERE

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Multistakeholder Event on Biosimilar medicines – watch the recording

On 13 December 2022, the European Commission organised a multistakeholder event focused on biosimilar medicines. Different stakeholders contributed, including EAHP's Director of Professional Development Despoina Makridaki.

The event focused on biosimilar competition, interchangeability, switching and substitution of biosimilars and national biosimilar policies. In addition, oncology biosimilars and trust in them were explored further. The event was concluded by a panel discussion to which patients, healthcare professionals, payers and industry representatives contributed. In case you missed the event, you can access all presentations as well as the recording online.

Access the presentations and recording HERE

 

Coalition for Vaccination brings together European healthcare professionals

In mid-January, close to a hundred experts from across Europe gathered to discuss European and national vaccination policies and healthcare professionals' role in increasing vaccine confidence and uptake. EAHP was represented at the Coalition for Vaccination conference by its Director of Finance Nenad Miljković.

The event followed the adoption of Council Conclusions in December 2022 which reaffirmed that vaccination is one of the most effective tools in the prevention of infectious diseases, highlighted the importance of communication training for healthcare professionals and reinforced the role of the Coalition. Those participating in the conference reiterated the need for all actors to work together to close vaccination gaps.

With its deliverables in the finalisation stage, the IMMUNION project presented its work during the conference. The aim of the project that was set up in 2021 was to strengthen collaboration between healthcare professionals and other stakeholders, addressing issues of access to accurate, evidence-based information about vaccination. This was primarily achieved through strategies focused on communication and training. In addition, tools and resources were developed to increase vaccine coverage, in particular amongst underserved populations.

Learn more about the IMMUNION project HERE

Learn more about the Coalition for Vaccination HERE

 

First Country Cancer Profiles presented

Leading up to World Cancer Day – which took place on 4 February – the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) present the first Country Cancer Profiles under the European Cancer Inequalities Registry.

The European Cancer Inequalities Registry is a flagship initiative of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. It provides sound and reliable data on cancer prevention and care to identify trends, disparities and inequalities between Member States and regions. The profiles highlighted that cancer is the second cause of mortality in the EU after circulatory diseases, that there are wide disparities in cancer mortality across countries and gender and that the challenges to provide high quality care differ. While some countries are well equipped, but face shortages in qualified health care staff, others have a high number of qualified physicians, but lack, for example, radiation therapy equipment.

Access the Country Cancer Profiles HERE

 

EMAs new role during public health emergencies

Since the beginning of February, the additional responsibilities regarding the monitoring and mitigation of shortages of critical medical devices during public health emergencies of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are applicable. The Agency is now responsible for coordinating responses of EU / EEA countries to shortages of critical medicines and medical devices including in-vitro diagnostics during public health emergencies.

The work of the Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety of Medicinal Products (MSSG) – which was set up almost a year ago – will from now be complemented by the Medical Devices Shortages Steering Group (MDSSG). The MDSSG is tasked with coordinating urgent actions within the Union in relation to the management of supply and demand issues of critical medical devices and making recommendations to relevant stakeholders, including the European Commission, Member States and notified bodies.

The MDSSG will be composed of a representative of the Agency, a representative of the European Commission and one representative appointed by each Member State. The MDSSG will be co-chaired by the Agency and by a representative of a Member State. A representative of the Agency's Patients' and Consumers' Working Party ('PCWP') and Healthcare Professionals' Working Party ('HCPWP') may attend meetings of the MDSSG as observers.

Learn more about the work of the MDSSG HERE

Learn more about the work of the MSSG HERE

 

EJHP: Public information on shortages in the EU/EEA: improvements made between 2018 and 2020

The online first edition of the European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (EJHP) recently published research outlining how EU/European Economic Area (EEA) national competent authorities have implemented the recommendations of the good practice guidance. Results showed that since the publication of the EMA/HMA good practice guide in 2019, transparency has increased across the EU/EEA, and public catalogues of shortages are now a routine tool used by many medicines agencies. Further opportunities to improve transparency on supply issues lie ahead with the EMA network strategy to 2025, the revised EU pharmaceutical legislation and the new legal mandate reinforcing the role of the EMA.

Read the full article HERE

 

 

[Consultations]

 

Drug Information Centre Survey

The University Hospitals of Leuven (UZ Leuven) is developing a drug information centre (DIC) to expand their current services. A DIC is defined as a centre that provides technical and scientific information about drugs in an objective and timely manner to ensure the safe and effective use of therapeutic and diagnostic pharmaceuticals. To support the development of the DIC in UZ Leuven a survey has been designed aiming to collect information about the operations, service characteristics and governance of DIC's already operating in Europe. This survey will take approximately 3-20 minutes to complete depending on the path which is followed.

Contribute to the survey via the following LINK


Bedside clinical pharmacists in Europe

In this research, organized by the Semmelweis University, Hungary the position of bedside clinical pharmacists in hospitals will be assessed to gain insight into the routine practices and the provided clinical pharmacy services. The researchers would like to hear your opinion based on your experiences, so there are no correct or incorrect answers. It takes about 15 minutes to complete the questionnaire.

Contribute to the survey via the following LINK


SUPPLY - Immunoglobulin shortages survey

The SUPPLY project would like to gain your insights into the situation of immunoglobulin (Ig) shortages and the decision-making process regarding it within hospitals. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Contribute to the survey via the following LINK

 

European Paediatric Formulary: Chloral Hydrate Oral Solution monograph

The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) released Issue 5 of Pharmeuropa PaedForm, in which the draft text for Chloral hydrate 100 mg/mL Oral Solution is published for public consultation prior to its inclusion in the European Paediatric Formulary. The deadline for comments on the text in Pharmeuropa PaedForm is 31 March 2023. This is the sixth monograph elaborated on by the PaedF Working Party. The EDQM welcomes all comments on this new monograph from users and interested parties.

Learn more about this consultation HERE