Link to EAHP Statements
- Section 1 – Introductory Statements and Governance: Statements – 1.1, 1.7
- Section 2 – Selection, Procurement and Distribution: Statements – 2.6, 2.7–
- Section 4 – Clinical Pharmacy: Statements – 4.2, 4.4
- Section 5 – Patient Safety and Quality Assurance: Statements – 5.2, 5.6, 5.7, 5.11
Abstract
Managing Controlled Substances (CS) (i.e. medicines subject to high-level governmental regulations, with addictive and/or abusive potential) is a complex and time-consuming process for Hospital Pharmacists (HPs) in Europe. EAHP established a Special Interest Group (SIG) to gain a better understanding about current situation for HPs and explore to what extent new technologies could facilitate CS’s management.
The SIG chose to investigate management of CS in Europe using by:
- conducting a survey among individual pharmacists,
- conducting literature review on scientific research and recommendations
- Mapping European CS management regulatory environment to asses similarities and differences in national legislations
The Survey revealed that greatest challenges for HPs are dispensing, patient administration, and registration. Literature review, despite limited resources, showed the importance of establishing Diversion prevention programmes. Mapping legislation in European countries brought to light the reason of complexity in managing CS, and the need to move forward to a homogenized and digitalized friendly legislative environment.
The SIG considered technologies advancements as strong potential to improve the traceability and accountability of CS management across Europe. Progress is often hindered by the need for increased awareness and training for all stakeholders involved in the process, as well as the limitations of existing digital and physical infrastructure in hospitals, which may struggle to accommodate new technologies, including the lack of interoperability between systems.
The SIG members developed a set of 19 recommendations to improve CS management within European hospitals, targeting all stakeholders involved in the process, including hospital pharmacists, hospital management, healthcare professionals, and decision makers.
Learning Objectives
- To gain an overview of the different approached to manage controlled substances within EAHP member countries
- To assess the benefits and risks of automotation new technologies when managing controlled substances
- To gain an overview of the recommendations made by the SIG on Controlled Susbtances Management to further improve the way hospitals can manage controlled substances.