EAHP’s survey on hazardous medicinal products

To better understand the classification landscape for hazardous medicinal products in Europe, the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) has established a Special Interest Group (SIG) on Hazardous Medicinal Products which sought further input for their work by means of a survey activity. Between September and mid-October 2021, EAHP’s Survey on Hazardous Medicinal Products collected feedback from chief hospital pharmacists across Europe on the existing classification landscape and standards. In addition, it looked at the implementation and guidelines for handling hazardous medicinal products, awareness as well as monitoring and supervision by healthcare institutions.

Hospital pharmacists and members of the multidisciplinary team – such as nurses, pharmacy technicians and others – are dealing with hazardous medicinal products in their daily work. Their safe handling is of uttermost importance for the safety of healthcare workers and patients treated with these medicines. Their classification plays an essential role in determining suitable handling procedures. However, unlike the United States, Europe does not have one single body similar to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) that addresses all questions linked to the classification of hazardous medicinal products.

EAHP–ESCP oath to Society Launch event

The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) and the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP) hosted the Oath to Society Launch Event on the 12^th of October in Brussels, Belgium.

The Oath to Society is the promise that the members of EAHP and ESCP make to the patients and public they serve, the healthcare professionals they interact with and the health systems they work in. The panel discussion provided an opportunity to reflect on the Oath to Society, the wider contributions of clinical and hospital pharmacists and the viewpoints of key stakeholders. Speakers included István Ujhelyi (Member of the European Parliament), Sibylle Reichert (AIM - International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies), Juan José Fernández Romero (EPF - European Patients' Forum), Ber Oomen (ESNO - European Specialist Nurses Organisation), Pascal Garel (HOPE - European Hospital and Healthcare Federation) and Marc Hermans (UEMS - European Union of Medical Specialists).

#EAHP2022 – Join EAHP’s annual congress in Vienna

Registration to the 26th Congress of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) is open. Different seminars, workshops and keynotes will be organised around the theme: “Hospital pharmacists – changing roles in a changing world”. If you want to join international colleagues in Vienna, Austria from the 23rd to the 25th of March 2022 don’t forget to get your ticket. Until the end of November, you can still benefit from the early bird discount. You can find out more about the registration and the programme on EAHP’s webisite (www.eahp.eu).

EAHP members – have you already looked at the offers available for members via the Wolters Kluwer partnership?

Last year, EAHP partnered with Wolters Kluwer to offer its members a subscription to Lexicomp and UpToDate at a special member rate. If you have not seen this offer, visit EAHP’s Member Centre to learn more!

For over 20 years Lexicomp has provided smart, independent drug information resources that help students excel in classes and support the decision-making in rotations. Lexicomp equips EAHP’s members with resources to assist them in their professional careers. Wolters Kluwer as a provider of UpToDate also offers to EAHP members valuable offers and discounts. With UpToDate, hospital pharmacists that are members of EAHP can have access to more than 11 800 Clinical Topics in 25 specialities, more than 9300 Graded Recommendations and 4200 Pharmacotherapy Tables and Algorithm.