Exactly one year ago, the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) released the findings of its 2018 Medicines Shortages Survey, showing that medicines shortages in European hospitals increased between 2014 and 2018. EAHP is extremely concerned by this development, in particular since the quality and safety of patient care is significantly affected. Patients are at risk of suffering deterioration in their health status if they cannot receive their prescribed medicines in a timely manner. Simultaneously, the amount of time that different healthcare professionals are able to spend with patients is reduced by the increased necessity of investing more and more working hours into the management of medicines shortages.

The 2019 Medicines Shortages Survey seeks to investigate the reasons and impact of medicines shortages on patients in European hospitals as well as possible solutions. Unlike previous surveys, this year’s investigation will target all healthcare professionals working in the hospital environment as well as patients that have experienced medicines shortages during their hospital stay. 

EAHP has been advocating on the issue of medicines shortages for over ten years and has conducted several Medicines Shortages Surveys, the results of which can be found on the Association’s website. Past EAHP Medicines Shortages Reports have highlighted the increasing burden of medicines shortages in European hospitals.

EAHP hopes to collect further evidence that will convince the European Commission of the need to carry out a European-wide investigation into the causes of medicines shortages in both the community and the hospital sector. 

The 2019 Medicines Shortages Survey will be open from 7^th November 2019 to 13^th January 2020 to collect information from healthcare professionals working in the hospital environment and patients that experienced medicines shortages while being treated. Participation is possible via the following link.