Policy Makers have a difficult task, they have to balance competing demands from a range of different stakeholders with the financial constraints that exist within all healthcare systems.

In terms of identifying the Statements that are most relevant to Policy Makers, whatever their political or professional background, a good starting point would be to check the patient Stakeholder pages as what you will find here is what patients said they wanted from a hospital pharmacy along with what healthcare professionals believed was needed, doctors and nurses.

As to some of the individual statements that are note, the need for prioritisation at a time of austerity for many nations is recognised. Areas where Policy Makers could help remove some barriers include a recognition that pharmacists need to be recognised as clinical practitioners and to have access to health records, many patients are surprised that this is not routinely the situation. The need to not just report medication errors but to ensure the risks to patients are managed effectively.

© European Union 2019 – Source : EP

Finally, given the increasing concern over antimicrobial resistance Policy Makers should consider raising the profile of pharmacists in helping delivery of antimicrobial stewardship. Within hospitals this is best achieved through a well-functioning Drug & Therapeutics Committee and a formulary  that has representation from medical specialists in the field and hospital pharmacists.

The 44 European Statements of Hospital Pharmacy cover the full range of services provided from hospital pharmacies across Europe. However, not all hospital pharmacies provide all the services covered by the Statements. This does mean that some Statements have greater importance than others for some hospital pharmacies.

The same is true for Stakeholders, some Statements will appear to have greater relevance than others. Stakeholders are encouraged to examine all the Statements for relevance to them. However, what is provided below are links to either sections of the Statements or the individual Statements where there is believed to be greater relevance. The choices have been driven through comments received from the various Stakeholders.