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. 

EAHP provides extensive training on procurement and tendering process

On 4^th and 5^th of October, the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) brought together different stakeholders that participated in the second Synergy Masterclass. The two-day event, sponsored by an educational grant from Amgen, centred around the topic of "Procurement, tendering and decision-making processes in the hospital setting". It brought together healthcare professionals, representatives from industry and other interested parties working in the field of procurement and tendering in the hospital environment.

Speakers with knowledge in different procurement and tendering systems ensured through a mix of lectures and small working group sessions that the newly learned techniques could be applied in practice throughout the intensive 2-day training. Parallel workshops encouraged the group to analyse and solve problems related to procurement as well as to evaluate procurement processes and their outcomes. Overall, participants appreciated to learn about and exchange on different procurement systems in a very interactive atmosphere. 

EAHP’s Synergy Masterclasses are ACPE accredited one or two-day mini congresses that are focused on the most ground-breaking and most needed topics relevant for hospital pharmacists and healthcare professionals. Those that missed this unique opportunity to participate, can participate in an open learning course on the topic of "Procurement, tendering and decision-making processes in the hospital setting" that will be released in the coming months.

More information on EAHP’s Synergy Masterclasses HERE

Study on the EU’s public health policy released 

A study has been released which analyses the state of play as well as the current and future challenges that lie ahead of the European Union’s (EU’s) public health policy. It puts into focus topics that may shape the agenda of the European Parliament’s committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI Committee) during its current 5-year mandate. 

The study was commissioned by the ENVI Committee and describes key public health definitions, principles and concepts. In addition, it discusses the EU’s powers to act on health, and presents an overview of health policy developments and challenges. Topics such as for example the implementation of the Medical Device Regulations, action to combat antimicrobial resistance and vaccine hesitancy have been covered in order to provide Members of the European Parliament with a comprehensive overview of health issues that may shape the agenda of the new legislature. 

Access the study HERE

 

 

 

Annual meeting of the Health Policy Platform held

In mid-October, the European Commission organised the annual meeting of its Health Policy Platform, bringing together over 50 stakeholders active in the field of health. The afternoon session of the meeting was dedicated to the presentation of joint statements that have been prepared by different working groups. In addition, ideas for new thematic networks – which will take up their activity in 2020 – were shared. 

Four joint statements were shown. These included one mapping and building cross-border and regional cooperation, one focused on improving organ donation and transplantation in the EU, one seeking to ameliorate people-centred health care solutions and one identifying common challenges to supporting the health of vulnerable populations. The meeting concluded with the presentation of the five leading proposals for the 2020 Thematic Networks which touched upon the following:

1. “A human rights-based approach to taskshifting: the role of peer workers”
2. “Colorectal Cancer Screening in the European Union”
3. “Digital skills for future-proof doctors – Digital Doc”
4. “Inter-professional Education for Digital Skills”
5. “Profiling and training the health care workers of the future”

Members of the Health Policy Platform have now until 6th November to vote online for their favourite topic. The EU Health Policy Platform is an interactive tool to boost discussions about public health concerns, share knowledge and best practices. Via the different thematic networks stakeholders can exchange with each other and prepare joint statements. 

Learn more about the Health Policy Platform HERE

 

  

EAHP contributes to FIP Regional Conference for the European Region

Today the Regional Conference for the European Region co-organised by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the Turkish Pharmacists’ Association (TPA) will start in Ankara, Turkey. The 3-day programme will centre around the theme: “Delivering primary health care: Pharmacists taking the next leap forward”. EAHP’s Vice President Aida Batista will be joining the event to share the Association’s views on the topic of medicines shortages.

The conference is open to pharmacists from all sectors, all pharmacy and healthcare stakeholders. FIP and TPA have developed an outstanding programme, which covers topics from vaccination to medicine shortages and workforce to remuneration. Country representatives and key healthcare stakeholders such as the World Health Organization, Pharmaceutical Group of European Union (PGEU) and the European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy (EAFP) will together with EAHP bring their perspectives on the important role of pharmacists’ in primary health care. Follow the event on twitter via the hashtags:  #PrimaryHealthCare, #HealthForAll, #FIPinEUR.

To receive more information on the programme, visit the conference website HERE

What will the new European Commission deliver in the field of health?

The Commission of Ursula von der Leyen was supposed to start its work on 1^st of November 2019. However, due to the rejection of three candidate-Commissioners by Members of the European Parliament, von der Leyen’s Commission is expected to pick up its activity with a 1-month delay. Unlike some of her fellow Commissioners, Stella Kyriakides the designate for the areas health and food safety has passed her hearing in the European Parliament with flying colors.  

Following Kyriakides’ hearing on 1^st of October, the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee of the European Parliament has voiced its agreement with the Cypriot becoming the EU’s next Commissioner responsible for Health and Food Safety. During her hearing Kyriakides touched on many points included in her mission letter. In the field of health, she plans to focus her work on:

• the development of a European Cancer Plan;
• taking action against the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance; and,
• addressing the access to safe and affordable medicines with Member States.

Also medicines shortages played a role in the hearing. In relation to tackling this issue Kyriakides mentioned close collaboration with Member States and the need to find a system for the early detection of shortages. Other topics that were brought up included the engagement of civil society and mental health. 

Learn more about the hearings of the candidates for the new Commission HERE

EJHP: Antibiotic usage at a clinical paediatric hospital before and after the implementation of actions related to the hospital antibiotic policy

The online first edition of the European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (EJHP) published a retrospective analysis on the epidemiological aspects and prevalence study of nosocomial infections in a general hospital of specialties covering the years 2012 to 2017. It was concluded that the multidisciplinary nature of the nosocomial infections allows to improve their approach, reducing the harmful effects on health.

 

Read the article HERE

 

 

 

 

Has your hospital pharmacy already completed EAHP’s self-assessment tool (SAT)?  

The SAT has been developed to help you with the implementation of the European Statements of Hospital Pharmacy. By completing the SAT you can assess the level of implementation of the Statements within you hospital. Areas needing improvement are shown to you in a tailor-made action plan and evidence-based resources are provided to help you improve your implementation level. Check out the SAT, which is available in 13 different European languages, and make sure that your team completes the assessment in the coming weeks!