KEY TAKE AWAY

The SmPC is well received 88% of those surveyed agreed or strongly agreed that they “prefer looking at the SmPC for gathering Prescribing Information”. HCPs in all contexts understand its structure and find it easy to use. It contains the right amount of information to meet most practical needs. 1

The SmPC is a key driver of effective decision-making 89% of pharmacists refer to SmPC documents at least once a week. 2

HCPs prefer digitally delivered content 86% of HCPs prefer to receive information on medicines in a digital format. 3

The increasing digitalisation of HCP/Pharma engagement presents HCPs with what we at Datapharm believe is a two-part opportunity.

The first part of that opportunity is already being taken: to consume the SmPC in digital form in appropriate contexts. As well as being a natural transition, it is testament to the effective evolution of the SmPC’s design that it has transitioned to digital media so seamlessly.

The second part of the opportunity is to present more data in more meaningful ways and in more contexts, as unlocked by digital systems. This may mean presenting subsets of the SmPC (e.g., adverse events, contraindications) to facilitate access for HCPs whilst making the master version still available. We know that HCPs are increasingly time-poor, and our survey suggests that anything which reduces the reading time with the right information is a positive step.

If HCPs prefer environmentally friendlier digital communications (and usually quickly dispose of printed materials) there is no reason for Pharma to continue printing marketing materials. Furthermore, if using the SmPC and Prescribing Information meet healthcare providers’ needs, Pharma should do away with Abbreviated PI as it belongs in a by-gone era.

With digital innovation being a key objective for many organisations, we believe it is time to move on and embrace the full potential of technology. This will benefit not only Pharma, but also HCPs when accessing medicine information.

This article is a shortened version of the report, “Making medicines information meaningful: revisiting the SmPC. A survey revealing healthcare professionals’ views on medicines information”.

There is the opportunity to enable better digital information for HCPs and for medicine adherence. 4

Increasing digitalisation of HCP/Pharma engagement

Please access the report via the following link: https://bit.ly/SmPCsurvey https://bit.ly/SmPCsurvey

Written by Nat Knight Director, Datapharm