The EAHP
Thursday 24 March 2022
Daily dose
Information that makes you feel good!
EAHP President András Süle during the Opening Ceremony on 23rd March
Discover what EAHPP has achieved over
EAHP 50 Anniversary y Walk History
photo: Mariona Ribò
th
Exhibition, bition, ti Hall H ll X2
right opposite the EAHP booth
A MESSAGE FROM THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Hospital pharmacists are embracing new challenges
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he era in which hospital pharmacists were just box movers, triggered by a medical prescription, is way behind us. The evolution of hospital pharmacy follows a steep curve and has not yet reached the summit. The quick changing scene gives us the opportunity to embrace new challenges and responsibilities for our profession.
ards such as PIC/s PE10, GMP and GPP. In order to fulfil our needs, new technology as 3D-printing of oral doses, compounding robots for injectables and cytotoxic drugs, and even production of ATMP and bacteriophages are finding their way to the hospital pharmacy. To contain the costs, compounding sites are working for multiple hospitals or networks resulting in dose-banding, strict planning and make-or-buy analysis to guarantee timely delivery to the patient.
First there is the continuing implementation of clinical pharmacy services, both front and back office, to optimize the given pharmaceutical care. To achieve this in a cost-effective way, clinical rules, predication algorithms and even machine learning are added to our toolbox, next to inevitable pharmacological knowledge. Hospital pharmacists are truly integrated in multidisciplinary teams around the patient.
Sky-high prices for new therapies, the risk for counterfeit medication, the strive for the lowest acquisition cost and the pandemic of shortages are more than challenging to our teams. The shortening length of stay, hospital at home projects and remote-pharmacy services enter new parameters into the equation. Last but not least, the requirement, from a patient safety perspective, to trace everything into the patient redraws the pharmaceutical process. Also here, automation, digitisation and expertise are part of the solution.
Secondly, compounding is lifted to the next level with authorities requesting for complying with quality stand-
Publisher European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) Jennie De Greef, Managing Director Blvd Brand Whitlock 87 – 4th floor – 1200 Brussels (BE) www.eahp.eu Printer C. Angerer & Göschl Friedmanngasse 61 – 1160 Wien (A) office@angerer-goeschl.at
Personalised therapies, the medical device regulation, the empowered patient as co-therapist and the awareness of the importance of ecological aspects and a healthy work-life valance only add to these challenges. Moreover, hospital pharmacists are more often involved in pharmaceutical research and are sought after as esteemed key opinion leaders to advise the authorities when formulating policies or fighting pandemics. These high demands require well-trained professionals and therefore EAHP advocates for a high quality common training framework across Europe and facilitates transfer of knowledge. This guarantees future generations of experts in pharmacology, patient counselling, patient safety, compounding, dispensing and research; with an eye for financial, logistical and people management. Prof. Dr. Thomas De Rijdt EAHP Scientific Committee Chairman
SOCIAL MEDIA Engage in the social media debate using the hashtag #EAHP2022
26th Congress of the EAHP
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Thursday, 24 March Time 08.00-17.00 08.00 09.00-10.30
Meetings/Events Registration opens (individuals, groups and exhibitors)
Foyer D
Exhibition opens
Hall X2
Seminars Seminar SPD2 – The waste-reducing hospital pharmacy – Let’s get started! P. Oosterhof & C.F. Green ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-008-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall D
Seminar PC2 – 3D printed medical devices – The ultimate customization C. Politis & J. Van den Broeck ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-026-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall K2
Seminar PSQ2 – Teamwork in the hospital – Building relationships to optimise pharmacotherapy K. Urbańczyk & J. Perez-Barcena ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-013-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall G1
Pharmacotherapy Session – Advances in heart failure pharmacotherapy P. Forsyth* & M. Ledwidge* ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-018-L01-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall G2
Workshop 3 – Towards a more patient centered approach to medication review N. Barnett ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-023-L04-P An application-based activity 09.00-10.30
Room
Rooms -2.32 & -2.33
Industry Sponsored Satellites – EQUASHIELD CSTD Comparative Studies and the Future of Automated Compounding
Hall K1
10.30-11.00
Coffee Break and attended posters. Have a cup of coffee with the authors and see the latest research from your peers!
Hall X1
11.00-11.45
Keynote 2 – What people want from their medicines – Making shared decisions S. Finnikin & S. Barnett-Cormack ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-002-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall D
12.00-13.30
Seminars Seminar IG1 – Better together! – Hospital pharmacists go collaborative G. Søndergård Nielsen & E. Fernández de Gamarra Martínez ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-004-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall D
Seminar SPD1 – Gases, devices, diagnostics – Managing more than tablets N. Vink-van Kimmenade & K. Verbeke ACPE UAN: 475-0000-22-007-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall K2
Seminar CPS2 – The COVID-19 pandemic – Lessons learned at the hospital pharmacy C. Dinsen-Andersen, J. Hanne Poulsen & L. De Waele ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-011-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall G1
Interactive Session 2 – Compounding for paediatrics – A survival guide through GMP C. Tuleu* & F. Cosme ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-017-L07-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall G2
Workshop 2 – Recognising the prescribing cascade S. Byrne & K. Dalton ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-022-L04-P An application-based activity 12.00-13.30
Rooms -2.32 & -2.33
Industry Sponsored Satellites – FRESENIUS KABI A fresh perspective on the role of pharmacists in biosimilars
Hall K1
13.30-15.00
Lunch
Hall X2
15.00-16.30
Seminars Seminar IG3 – The role of the hospital pharmacist in disaster management – Are we prepared? N. Widmer & F. Buyle ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-006-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall D
Seminar ER2 – How to work smarter not harder A. Rieutord & P. Bonnabry ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-015-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall K2
Seminar PC3 – Bacteriophages – Back to the future J.P. Pirnay & S.J.T. Vermeulen ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-027-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall G1
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Seminar PSQ1 – Medication with safety C. Lindén-Lahti & S. Kuitunen ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-012-L05-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall G2
Workshop 4 – Hospital pharmacist: learn to think global and act local C. Kirke ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-024-L04-P An application-based activity 15.00-16.30
16.30-17.00 17.00
Rooms -2.32 & -2.33
Industry Sponsored Satellites – NOVARTIS Close encounters between hospital pharmacists and gene therapies
Hall K1
Coffee Break
Hall X2
Exhibition closes
Hall X2
Friday, 25 March Time 08.00-11.00 09.00 09.00-10.30
Meetings/Events
Room
Registration opens (individuals, groups and exhibitors)
Foyer D
Exhibition opens
Hall X2
Seminars Seminar IG2 – How to survive with limited resources without letting the patients down A. Melo Gouveia & D. Mozgis ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-005-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall D
Seminar PC2 – 3D printed medical devices – The ultimate customization C. Politis & J. Van den Broeck ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-026-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall K2
Seminar PSQ1 – Medication with safety C. Lindén-Lahti & S. Kuitunen ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-012-L05-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall G2
Interactive Session 1 – Work it out – Your idea to save health systems R. Frontini & T. Hoppe-Tichy ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-016-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall K1
Interactive Session 2 – Compounding for paediatrics – A survival guide through GMP C. Tuleu* & F. Cosme ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-017-L07-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall G1
Workshop 5 – From data to decision – Improve the use of EBM in clinical practice M. Balgård & F. Nagele ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-025-L04-P An application-based activity
Rooms -2.32 & -2.33
10.30-11.30
Coffee Break and attended posters. Have a cup of coffee with the authors and see the latest research from your peers!
Hall X1
11.30-13.00
Closing Ceremony & Keynote 3 – The era of cell and gene therapies in oncology – Fiction, poetry or science? G. Ungerechts & T. Schöning ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-003-L04-P A knowledge-based activity
Hall D
Exhibition closes
Hall X2
12.00
EAHP thanks the continued support of its Partners
SILVER PARTNER
CORPORATE PARTNER
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KEYNOTE 1 | REVIEW
Value based healthcare – hospital pharmacists should claim their seat! he 26th EAHP congress has a strong focus on the changing role of hospital pharmacists, and this will also be driven by the change from a health system, which focuses on the amount of healthcare services provided, to a value-based healthcare. Prof. Steven Simoens started the first keynote lecture of the congress by explaining the challenges our healthcare systems are facing. The population in most European countries is aging, patients have different levels so of health literacy, they are in need of more care and the health system will need more staff to provide this. There is a continuing demand for new (and expensive) therapies. On the other hand, we’re lacking the overview with regards to the outcomes of the clinical interventions and also of their quality. The OECD concluded that there is an urgent need to change this situation! The answer to these problems can be a transition to a more patient-centred form of healthcare, instead of a system with the focus on the health service providers. Prof. Simoens illustrated value-based healthcare with several examples. In the United States, the focus lays mainly on technical efficiency; new treatments and new drugs are assessed with regards to their effectiveness and the related additional costs when compared to an established therapy regimen. As a result, there are new payment modes like “pay for performance” which link payment to quality, outcomes, and costs. The next step is a value-based healthcare, which prioritises the interventions from the patients point of view; as
it is the patient who decides what matters to him most. This has led to PROMs “patient reported outcome measures” as a tool to evaluate the outcomes of a clinical intervention from the patient’s perspective, for example the quality of life, the disutility of care, and the survival. Accompanying payment models are developed, where either one payment covers the full cycle of care, the payment is based on the evaluation of the performance, or the provider shares possible savings. But as Prof. Simoens pointed out, in practice these payment modes only have shown mixed impact on quality and cost. The patient centred approach is already one part of the European Commission’s way of addressing value-based health care. They concluded to define value as the sum of personal value (support the patient’s goals), technical value (attain best outcome with limited resources), allocative value (make sure to allocate the resources equitably), and societal value (support social participation and solidarity). But is Europe ready for value-based health care? Prof. Simoens showed data which depicts great differences bfetween European countries. And he added some critical reflections as well, mainly with regards to the yet differing definitions of value, the difficulties to come to a consensus regarding benchmarks, and the varying grades of implementation of value-based healthcare in practise.
tient outcomes as well. He cited several papers that clearly demonstrated that clinical pharmacists’ services can be cost-effective. And he emphasised the importance of choosing affordable clinical pharmacy by evaluating where the hospital pharmacist can add the most value in the medication process from admission to patient discharge. In his opinion the EAHP should issue a position paper on the role of the hospital pharmacist in value-based healthcare: After implementing, analysing and demonstrating the value of clinical pharmacy interventions, the next steps could be to design a value-based remuneration model for hospital pharmacist’s services. The hospital pharmacists should be ready to claim their role in value-based healthcare! Prof. Dr. Thomas De Rijdt EAHP Scientific Committee Chairman
photo: Mariona Ribò
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At the end of his presentation Prof. Simoens pointed out the opportunities for hospital pharmacists, as they are members of the multidisciplinary team and play an important role in optimising medication use and thus pa-
POLICY ARTICLE
SIG Launch – Hazardous Medicinal Products: the European classification landscape
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he 26th Congress of EAHP was not only the occasion of celebrating the Association’s 50th anniversary, but it also served as the backdrop for the launch of the outcomes of EAHP’s first Special Interest Group (SIG). The Chair of the SIG on Hazardous Medicinal Products, Joan Peppard, and SIG member, Falko Schüllner, shared the group’s findings. Their presentation touched on the different classification systems for hazardous medicinal products in Europe, the best practices that were identified, the outcomes of the survey initiatives and the recommendations for improving the current landscape. Joan Peppard kicked-off the session by providing participants with the reasons for setting up a SIG on Hazardous Medicinal Products, its composition and tasks. In addition to talking about the activities that included monthly meetings, a literature review, the creation of a definition and two surveys, she also explained the background which linked to EAHP’s European Statements of Hospital Pharmacy and the EU Directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work. Falko Schüllner followed-up by explaining the results of the different survey initiatives that targeted on the one hand EAHP’s 35 members associations and on the other individual hand chief pharmacists. Linked to the survey for associations, he highlighted the following aspects as being investigated: understanding of the governance of hazardous medicinal products (HMPs), existing classification systems, handling guidelines and the involvement of the national association of hospital pharmacists. He mentioned specific feedback for each of these points including, for example, that no standardized list for the classification of HMPs existed in 73% of the countries that provided feedback to the survey for EAHP’s member associations. Concerning the survey results from individual chief phar-
macists, Falko Schüllner underlined that the results demonstrated a high awareness of, and significant effort into, the management of HMPs at the institutional level. He also pointed out that the safety precautions for handling HMPs in the oncology and haematology setting were well identified in the literature and the survey responses, whereas a less clear understanding of the safe handling of HMPs was observed for other conditions. Training and education, external audits and quality assurance were the other areas that he touched on. Before addressing the audience’s questions, Joan Peppered took the microphone again to share the recommendations of the SIG: • EAHP calls on the European Commission to actively engage with hospital pharmacist representatives in the review of relevant Directives for the management of hazardous medicinal products (HMPs) in the healthcare environment. • EAHP asks national governments and health system managers to immediately engage with the European
Statements of Hospital Pharmacy and implement best practices relating to HMPs. • EAHP recommends an EU wide standard approach to the classification and management of HMPs. • EAHP advises the European Commission to initiate best practice sharing on the classification and handling of HMPs between its Member States. • EAHP advocates for the revision of pharmacy curricula and the expansion of training opportunities for the pharmacy workforce to account for the growing demand for management of HMPs and related Health and Safety issues. For each of these recommendations, she referred to additional background information and the reasons for including them. Joan Peppered concluded the launch of the SIG results by stressing the importance of hospital pharmacy engagement for improving the classification and handling of HMPs across Europe. Stephanie Kohl – EAHP Policy & Advocacy Officer
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EAHP REPORT
The latest EAHP report looks at the future of electronic product information
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ast year, EAHP collected information on the use of electronic product information (ePI) in European hospitals. The results of this survey activity have now been released and show that in the majority of cases an electronic/digital version of the leaflet is already used by the healthcare professionals in the hospital setting. The survey activity was inspired by a project carried out in Belgium and Luxembourg evaluating the effectiveness of the electronic patient information leaflet and the key principles created by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA). EAHP’s survey targeted hospital pharmacists that were asked to share their views and impressions about the behaviour of other healthcare professionals and patients, in particular on how, why, how frequently and in which format both of these groups are using product information. The final sections of the survey analysed the benefits and potential challenges in providing ePI in the hospital setting for both patients and healthcare professionals. The survey was carried out in cooperation with the Inter-Association Task Force for electronic product information composed out of Medicines for Europe, EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations) and AESGP (Association of the European Self-Care Industry) from March to April 2021. It received 534 answers from hospital pharmacists in 36 European countries. Almost 60% of respondents reported that healthcare professionals use the digital version when they wish to obtain information on a medicine. Hospital pharmacists (93%)
are those using most frequently the digital format of the product information followed by physicians (71%) and nurses (43%). Given that the survey only targeted hospital pharmacists, it should be noted that the presumed behaviour of both healthcare professionals and patients are always the opinion of the hospital pharmacists’ answering the survey. A large majority of the respondents also sees the future potential of ePI since it could help facilitate easier and faster access to the product information for both healthcare professionals and patients. They highlighted however that attention should be put on the ePI implementation. According to the hospital pharmacists who responded to the survey, the implementation should take into account the current inadequate IT infrastructure in hospitals as well as the very broad structural preconditions of hospitals in Europe regarding the technical equipment to use ePI in daily routine. The survey revealed that patients in the hospital are usually not provided with paper package leaflets. 21% of respondents also reported that medicines information is provided orally to patients. Linked to patients’ access to ePI, many see the potential of further informing patients by giving them access to ePI. Stephanie Kohl – EAHP Policy & Advocacy Officer
Find out more! The full ePI report can be accessed on EAHP’s website: www.eahp.eu
EAHP AWARD
A surprise for the EAHP 50th anniversary: the EAHP Board of Directors Professional Excellence Award
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photo: Mariona Ribò
he EAHP Board decided to inaugurate a new award to commemorate the 50th anniversary of EAHP. The 26th EAHP Congress marks the very first time the “EAHP Board of Directors Professional Excellence Award” is to
be presented. This award seeks to recognise an individual who has made outstanding contributions to EAHP. EAHP’s mission is to represent and develop the hospital pharmacy profession within Europe in order to ensure the continuous improvement of care and outcome for patients in the hospital setting. Thus, this award is given to hospital pharmacists that have contributed to further develop the profession and to improve patient outcomes when delivering hospital pharmacy services. A large number of hospital pharmacists and professionals have helped to make EAHP’s mission a reality. It was not an easy task for the EAHP Board to select only one awardee for this year’s award. The hospital pharmacist that will receive the first “EAHP Board of Directors Professional Excellence Award” is Dr. Leonidas Tzimis from Greece. Leonidas has worked for 40 years as a hospital pharmacist and has supported the transition of an old-fashioned hospital to a digital one. The awardee has also authored more than 130 publications and presentations for national and international congresses, shared expertise on hospitals’ integrated health information systems and represented one of EAHP’s member delegations for almost 20 years. Dr. Leonidas Tzimis is a Greek hospital pharmacist that practices on the island
of Crete, as Director of the Pharmaceutical Department at the General Hospital of Chania. He studied pharmacy at the University of Thessaloniki and became a licensed pharmacist in 1982.Throughout his career, Dr. Tzimis is engaged in different national and international organizations, namely the Panhellenic Association of Hospital Pharmacists, the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research, and the Foundation - Rehabilitation Center for Children and Youth of Crete. His deep interest in digital health led to his involvement in the working group for the Secretary-General of the Greek Ministry of Health that supported the implementation of the EU’s Cross-Border Healthcare Directive specifically focusing on electronic prescription and the adaptation of eHealth in the Greek health system. Another area of engagement is the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE). Dr. Tzimis has been involved in the IHE Pharmacy group since its foundation in 2009, and helped address information sharing, workflow and patient care in both community and hospital pharmacies. He was involved in the development of the IHE “Hospital Pharmacy and Community Pharmacy Use Cases and Standards White Paper” that identifies the critical interoperability needs in the pharmacy domain, describes the corresponding interoperability used cases and proposes a set of communication standards to implement these use cases. On behalf of the EAHP, we want to take this opportunity to thank Leonidas and all the hospital pharmacists that continuously work to further develop the profession and patient outcomes in the hospital setting, especially during these difficult times. The EAHP team
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POLICY ARTICLE
Making a difference in medication by advancing the hospital pharmacy profession EAHP urges that
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The year 2021 marked the occasion of two important developments linked to the profession, the release of the “Oath to Society”, developed in collaboration with the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP), and the adoption of a new Position Paper on Hospital Pharmacy Specialisation by EAHP’s General Assembly in June 2021. The position centres around advancing the profession by harmonising the recognition of hospital pharmacy education, enhancing the role of the hospital pharmacist and preparing the profession for future challenges. To make a difference in medication by advancing the hospital pharmacy profession, EAHP calls on the European Commission and the Member States to assist the Association in setting up a Common Training Framework (CTF) through the adoption of a delegated act. The project to make CTF a reality was started in 2014. Milestones that were reached before the COVID-19 pandemic included the creation of a competency framework, covering all of EAHP’s member countries, and research into labour mobility needs and the impact of specialisation on patient outcomes. Furthermore, EAHP’s position paper touches on the need for Member States to recognise the changing role of the hospital pharmacists and further foster their implementation. In addition, it underlines the importance to further promote the uptake of such cross-sector tools inter-sector communication, coordination and multi-disciplinary col-
laboration in all healthcare facilities should be strengthened. To adequately address future challenges linked to the ageing society, changing healthcare needs and other unknown factors, like future pandemics, EAHP also urges that Member States invest in better workforce planning for the hospital pharmacy profession, including the availability of hospital pharmacy services for all patients of each hospital. In October 2021, EAHP and ESCP brought together key stakeholders that are engaging closely with clinical and hospital pharmacists to celebrate the launch of the “Oath to Society”. This document acts as a contract for excellence in providing compassionate patient care, working as part of the healthcare team and advancing the pharmacy profession, and showcasing how clinical and hospital pharmacists work every day. The launch was supported by Member of the European Parliament, István Ujhelyi, who highlighted in his keynote speech the challenges faced by healthcare systems across Europe and the important role that pharmacists and their teams are playing. Since the “Oath to Society” is the promise that the members of EAHP and ESCP make to patients and the public they serve, the healthcare professionals they interact with and the health systems they work in the launch also involved key stakeholders relevant to both clinical and hospital pharmacists. The panellists from the International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies, the European Patients’ Forum,
Member States invest in better workforce planning for the hospital pharmacy profession the European Specialist Nurses Organisation, the European Hospital and Healthcare Federation and the European Union of Medical Specialists shared their positive experiences in working collaboratively with clinical and hospital pharmacists and showed why the Oath to Society is important to their individual organisations. Equal and affordable access to medicines, patient-centred care and cooperation were amongst the themes that the panellists noted during their debate. Touching on trust and respect, different aspects of the patient care pathway, the multidisciplinary care team, disease prevention and health promotion, education and the future development of pharmacy practice, the Oath to Society is all-encompassing. To ensure their wide uptake as a compass for pharmacists to adhere to the highest standards of ethics, integrity and professionalism, EAHP and ESCP are also working on translating the “Oath to Society” into as many languages as possible. Stephanie Kohl – EAHP Policy & Advocacy Officer
POLICY ARTICLE
EAHP’s Special Interest Groups – A new way of engaging the voices of hospital pharmacists n 2020, EAHP opened a new chapter of hospital pharmacy engagement by setting up Special Interest Groups (SIGs). EAHP’s SIGs gather and evaluate the evidence in specific, innovative and novel fields of hospital pharmacy practice with the aim to address patient needs and to advance the profession. Comprised of professionals that focus on specific topics related to pharmaceutical care, medical devices and many other related areas, SIGs bring together experts from different fields, including but not limited to hospital pharmacists, other specialty pharmacists, doctors, nurses, patients and pharmaceutical industry leaders. The preparations for the first SIG started in the last quarter of 2020, three others followed in 2021 and the lasted two SIGs that are operating today commenced their work in the first quarter of 2022. The deliverables that each SIG is working on are slightly different, but all share common goals, namely evaluating established procedures in hospital pharmacies to ensure optimal patient care, identifying and exchanging best practices, developing educational content and supporting the preparation of advocacy work. The SIG on Hazardous Medicinal Products (financially supported by Amgen) carried out an investigation into the classification systems that are used throughout Europe for hazardous medicinal products. This SIG already concluded its work and presented its findings yesterday afternoon. The full report is available on EAHP’s SIG webpage (https:// www.eahp.eu/hp-practice/hospital-pharmacy/SIGs). The SIG for the Investigation of Medication Errors in Intensive Care Units (financially supported by BD) seeks to determine the prevalence of medication errors in intensive care units, their causes or contributing factors, and strategies to improve medication safety and prevent medication errors. The findings of this group will be published in form of a report and policy recommendations towards the end of this year. Currently, this SIG is collecting information on medication safety and medication error prevention strategies in ICUs across Europe. If you are a healthcare profes-
sional working in an ICU or within medication safety your participation in the survey that is running until the 24th of April would be greatly appreciated. EAHP’s third SIG on Automated Medication Management (financially supported by Omnicell) is tasked with investigating the potential benefits of automation in the hospital setting in terms of patient safety, length of stay and staff efficiency for patient care and medication inventory management. Particular focus is put on addressing how automation in dispensing can help achieve one of the key objectives of the World Health Organisation, reducing medication errors. Please keep your eyes open for the survey that the SIG on Automated Medication Management has prepared. The SIG plans to launch the survey in early May. It will be published on EAHP’s website (www.eahp.eu), promoted on EAHP’s social media accounts, such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram and of course shared by EAHP’s member associations. The last SIG that started its work in 2021, is the SIG focused on the Use of Prefilled Syringes in Intensive Care Units and Operating Theatres (financially supported by BD). The main aim of this SIG is the development of a value framework using multiple criteria decision analysis to support evidence-based implementation and purchasing. The SIG’s discussions are focusing on both pharmacy-prepared and industry-manufactured prefilled syringes that are filled before they reach the end user. A survey targeting hospital pharmacists and other professionals working in the hospital, including hospital managers, is planned to be released in the second quarter of 2022. A relatively new area of engagement lies in the focus of EAHP’s SIG on the hospital pharmacist’s preparedness for in-vivo gene therapy medicinal products (financially supported by Pfizer). This group is looking at the requirements for the handling, preparations and administration of gene therapy products throughout Europe in order to provide guidance and training materials to hospital pharmacists.
The work of the SIG focused on Eliminating Avoidable Harm (financially supported by Baxter) centres around the supply, preparation and safe administration of all types of medicines in Europe. The group is evaluating current critical incidences and will be proposing approaches on how to minimise the occurrence of risks, critical incidents, and therefore also harm. The discussions of the SIG are going beyond the hospital pharmacy, meaning that the whole processes along the supply chain of medicinal products will be taken into account as well as the legal framework. Benefits of joining and/or supporting one of EAHP’s SIGs include bringing together professionals with a common interest to advance patient safety and outcomes, enhancing the transfer of knowledge between healthcare, academia, industry professionals and researchers and providing reliable health information resources for healthcare professionals and patients. If you want to learn more about EAHP’s SIGs, please contact Jennie.DeGreef@eahp.eu. Stephanie Kohl – EAHP Policy & Advocacy Officer
photo: NVZA
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KEYNOTE 3 | PREVIEW
The era of cell and gene therapies in oncology – Fiction, poetry, or science?
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n 2002 the hospital pharmacists at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) were asked to assist the scientists off the head and neck cancer department to help with the preparation of an intratumoral genetherapy with an adeno-associated p53-suppressorgene. Due to the new therapeutic approach and the at the time poorly regulated gene-therapy-reconstitution process, we as hospital pharmacists got directly involved in the application of this new study drug. In 2012 the hospital pharmacy of the UKHD were again approached to aid in a second study for the treatment of gliablastome with an oncolytic parvovirus. These early studies together with many others worldwide combined with an increasing regulatory environment led to market licensing for these sort of therapies. Pharmacies nowadays are involved in all kinds of processes in gene and cell therapies e.g. logistics, reconstitution and reimbursement, to name a few. The two keynote speakers from UKHD will present intriguing insights on the science and the processes of these new therapies as well as give an outlook on what is to expect in the coming future. Guy Ungerechts is a medical oncologist trained in the field of oncolytic viruses at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA
and at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, Canada. Moreover, he is Deputy Director of the Medical Oncology Department at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, and heads the Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). His clinical and research focus lies on GI oncology with particular interests in translational medicine and early clinical trials of immuno(viro) therapy. His group recently demonstrated for the first time that measles virus can be armed with immunomodulatory transgenes encoding for cytokines, immune checkpoint blockade antibodies and bispecific T cell engager (BITEs) for enhanced immunovirotherapy. Tilman Schoening is the deputy chief pharmacist at the Pharmacy Department of UKHD. His clinical focus is directed towards Oncology Pharmacy with particular interest in Clinical Oncology, Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP), automation in compounding, Biosimilar monoclonal antibody treatment as well as off-label treatment. Tilman has been responsible for the pharmaceutical management of clinical trials phase I-III in accordance to GCP and GMP. Additionally, he is a lecturer of Clinical Pharmacy and Applied Clinical Pharmacology at the School of Pharmacy, Heidelberg University and active member in several professional societies.
photo: NVZA
After attending these presentations by my renowned colleagues one thing should be clear: it is not fiction, nor poetry, it is science. And whilst we are not at the end of the road yet, us hospital pharmacists should be clear that we have an important role in the field of these sort of therapies. We have the duty to teach our employees that we can support those therapies without bringing ourselves in danger. Lastly, we have to support and assist clinical studies in this field, as well as to strengthen the communication with authorities and clinical partners in research and hospital care. Dr. Torsten Hoppe-Tichy EAHP Scientific Committee Member
PARTICIPATE IN EAHP’S SURVEY AND FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEWS ON “MEDICATION SAFETY AND MEDICATION ERROR PREVENTION STRATEGIES IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS ACROSS EUROPE” Participate in EAHP’s Survey and Focus Group Interviews on “Medication Safety and Medication Error Prevention Strategies in Intensive Care Units across Europe”. The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) Special Interest Group (SIG) for the Investigation of Medication Errors in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is conducting research on Medication Safety and Medication Error Prevention Strategies in ICUs across Europe. The SIG is seeking further input for their work by means of a survey and focus groups interviews. Until April 24th, the EAHP’s survey on Medication Error Prevention Strategies in ICUs will collect feedback from healthcare professionals (pharmacists, physicians and nurses) working in ICUs or within medication safety across Europe on the existing medication error prevention strategies in use and being planned in ICUs. Soon after the survey, focus groups will explore the experiences of healthcare professionals on Patient Safety Culture and Medication Safety in ICUs across Europe. The results of the survey and focus groups will be used to develop policy recommendations for medication safety improvement in ICUs across Europe. If you are a healthcare professional working in an ICU or within medication safety, your participation in the survey and/or in the focus groups would be greatly appreciated. Your views and experiences will help develop new policy recommendations which will result in improved patient safety. To receive further information on the survey or the focus groups, please contact the Co-Chairs on raisa.laaksonen@ helsinki.fi and virginia.silvari@hse.ie. Further information on participation in this research and a link to an online survey will be published on EAHP’s website and will be sent to members of national organisations via newsletters. Raisa Laaksonen and Virginia Silvari Co-Chairs of the EAHP Special Interest Group for the Investigation of Medication Errors in Intensive Care Units
EAHP’s 50th anniversary crossword Do you want to win a FREE REGISTRATION for the next EAHP Congress, held from 22 to 24 March 2023, in Lisbon? It’s easy! You only have to complete the crossword (don’t forget to include your name) and leave it at the EAHP booth (#67) in the exhibition area. The winner will be announced at the closing ceremony, on Friday 11.30 to 13.00 (Hall D). Do you have problems finding the answers? Find some tips at the EAHP History Walk in the exhibition area… Still need some answers? Don’t worry, here is another tip: walk around the exhibition area, talk with exhibitors and kindly ask for some tips and answers for the crossword! Not all exhibitors have the answers to the crossword, so don’t give up if you don’t find them on your first try. NAME: LAST NAME:
Down 2. From which country was the first association to join the EAHP international Associate Membership? 3. At the foundation of the association Philip Jacobs was the EAHP… 4. First name of the first EAHP president 5. City where the General Assembly took place in 1973 7. Name of the current EAHP Vice-President 8. Wim Moeys was the coordinator of the first EAHP…
Across 1. Where did the first EAHP foundation seminar take place? 6. The First EAHP Congress took place in… 9. The 35th member country to join the EAHP was… 10. Name of the current EAHP president 11. Last name of the EAHP president when the Statement Implementation project started
27 EAHP CONGRESS th
22-23-24 MARCH
FROM DRUG DESIGN TO TREATMENT SUCCESS WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO PATIENTS?
EAHP thanks the continued support of Silver Partner Clinigen Direct and Corporate Partner Omnicell
#EAHP2023
The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) represents more than 23.000 hospital pharmacists in 35 European countries and is the only association of national organisations representing hospital pharmacists at European and international levels. The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.