EAHP represents over 30,000 hospital pharmacists across 37 member countries. EAHP represents and develops the hospital pharmacy profession within Europe in order to ensure the continuous improvement of care and outcomes for patients in the hospital setting. This is achieved through science, research, education, practice, as well as sharing best-practice and responsibility with other healthcare professional
The EAHP Board, elected for three-year terms, oversees the association’s activities. Comprising directors responsible for core functions, it meets regularly to implement strategic goals. Supported by EAHP staff, the Board controls finances, coordinates congress organization, and ensures compliance with statutes and codes of conduct.
The EAHP staff supports the Board in executing EAHP’s mission. The Staff assists in financial management, events organisations, policy activities and all EAHP projects. The EAHP staff works closely with EAHP’s members and ensures the effective communication all relevant stakeholders.
The first member countries were Belgium, Britain, Denmark, France, the Federal Republic, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands in 1972. EAHP has now 36 EAHP members and 2 Associate Members. EAHP is open to countries members of the Council of Europe and since 2022 to organisations representing the interests of hospital pharmacists from outside the Council of Europe (Associate Membership)
EAHP’s structure is also composed by different standing committes: EAHP Scientific Committee, EAHP Education Executive Committee and the EAHP CTF Steering Committee.
At EAHP, we are committed to transparency in our governance, ethical standards, and funding practices. This section provides open access to our foundational documents, including the EAHP Statutes, Code of Conduct, and Funding Sources. By sharing these resources, we aim to uphold accountability and foster trust with our members, partners, and the public.
Keep up with all EAHP’s events and webinars. Contact the team at info@eahp.eu should you have any questions about upcoming events or activities.
Here you can find all upcoming events organised by EAHP and by all its members and associate members. Do not hesitate to contact the events team at events@eahp.eu should you have any questions about the organisation of these events.
Hospital pharmacists conduct a critical role in the care of patients in hospitals. Learn more about what they do here and in all the pages under Hospital Pharmacy practice and Policy.
Self-Assessment
SILCC
Closed SIGs
EAHP brings together experts from many areas of hospital pharmacy practice providing and highlighting good local sustainable practices as that can be up-scaled and shared with other countries. The EAHP Working Group on Sustainability has the aim of reducing the environmental burden of the hospital pharmacy services.
The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP), and its 36 member country platforms are creating a Common Training Framework for the hospital pharmacy education in Europe. The goal of this project is to allow the free movement of hospital pharmacists within the European Union.
The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) and the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP) have collaboratively developed the Oath to Society. The Oath to Society is all encompassing and 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
A day created to highlight the importance and to celebrate the work done by hospital pharmacies. This day celebrates all hospital pharmacy teams.
The Early Career Network aims to empower early-career pharmacists by sharing opportunities, insights, and success stories from across 25 member countries.
Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected hospital pharmacy community: one story, one country, one pharmacist at a time.
Catch up with EAHP’s press releases
Find all EAHP relevant publication like the EAHP Surveys, annual reports and the history books.
The European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (EJHP) is the only official journal of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) and is committed to advancing the science, practice and profession of hospital pharmacy. As the premier communication platform for hospital pharmacists worldwide, EJHP is a major source for continuing education as well as updates on advances in the practice and standard of pharmaceutical care for patients.
When EAHP and Hospital pharmacists appear in the news.
EAHP publishes a monthly EU monitor with updates about the latest EAHP initiatives and information relevant for the hospital pharmacy profession.
The Sponsor Channel is designed to maximise visibility and engagement, allowing sponsors to connect with the hospital pharmacy community and partners in a dynamic and interactive environment. From product demonstrations to networking sessions, the Sponsor Channel offers a range of opportunities for sponsors to showcase their offerings and generate leads in the new EAHP Website.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
E. Bredenberg, M. Knuutila-Jerkku, P. Halonen, E.W. Gröndahl
On the ward, attaching infusion lines to cytotoxic doses is performed alongside busy clinical work, often resulting in delays. Centralized attachment of infusion lines to patient-specific cytotoxic doses in the hospital pharmacy cleanroom streamlines the chemotherapy workflow. It also enhances medication safety by improving the quality of ready-to-administer doses compared to the previous attachment practices on the ward.
In Turku, patient-specific cytotoxic doses are prepared for administration in the hospital pharmacy’s centralized compounding unit, located in EU GMP-compliant cleanrooms. This ensures aseptic preparation and emphasizes occupational safety. As part of this project, we included Cytoset Line® infusion sets pre-filled with saline into patient-specific cytotoxic doses during the centralized compounding process in the cleanroom.
To improve medication safety in chemotherapy, we held a multidisciplinary review of the process, consulted other hospitals for their practices and experiences, and assessed the stability of pre-attached infusion lines compared to non-attached doses.
The process of filling Cytoset Line® infusion lines with saline was introduced to pharmacists. The integrity of the closed infusion system was tested by adding caramel colour dye to the infusion bag. The effect of clamp placement was tested by positioning it at different points along the filled line. Caramel colour leakage into the line indicated insufficient sealing.
Performing the line attachment in a Grade A cleanroom improves aseptic conditions and reduces the risk of microbiological contamination. Occupational safety is enhanced by minimizing nurses’ exposure to cytotoxic agents. Centralized preparation optimizes the use of personnel resources. Correct placement of the clamp below the infusion port is critical in preventing contamination.
Expansion of the practice to other hospital units
Assessing the feasibility of attaching infusion lines to doses intended for extended storage
Standardizing processes: adopting uniform infusion lines across all oncology units (requirement for pre-attached infusion lines)
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Maria Teixeira; André Maia; Ana Catré; Inês Margalho; Joana Duque; Marisa Costa; Marta Susana; Miguel Paulo; Tomás Sousa; Vânia Pereira; Teresa Pereira
Thermolabile drugs require special storage conditions(2°C-8°C).[1] They represent a group with relevant economic value in Pharmaceutical Services(PS), therefore, processes must be guaranteed to maintain the storage temperature throughout the entire circuit.[2] CBR can cause changes in the characteristics of drugs and compromise their stability, efficacy and safety.[1,2] It is the responsibility of the PS to establish procedures and assess whether or not drugs exposed to a temperature excursion can be used.[3]
We analyzed the economic impact of Cold Chain Breaks (CRB) occurring in Primary Health Care (PHC) at the Local Health Unit (ULS).
A spreadsheet document was developed for action in cases of CRB for PHC, and a database was created with the responses provided by the laboratories. The document is sent to the PHC unit, to be completed by the nurse in charge, who identifies the cause, duration, temperature reached, and medications in the refrigerator. After analysis by the PS, a report is sent with information on stability studies and respective conclusions per item. The excursion is then valued based on the average price of the item and the available quantity. A database was created with the valuation of all CRBs.
Between April 2024 and July 2025, 14 temperature excursions were recorded, of which 7 in 2025. The total number of affected items was 2,327, representing a total value of €55,595.6. Of these, it was possible to avoid the waste of 1,722(74%), corresponding to €40,652, and 605(26%) were eliminated, with a total of €14,943.6. The CRB occurred due to anomalies in the power supply to the equipment 80%(12) and refrigerator breakdown 20%(3). The number of vaccines subject to CRB per month in 2024 was 257 units(U), and in 2025 it was 80U.
An analysis of the causes of CRBs reveals that they are mostly related to infrastructure, with only 20% related to equipment failures. Therefore, emergency plans for equipment must be developed. It is essential to establish preventive actions collaboratively among all professional groups involved, with an emphasis on sustainability and efficient resource management, to minimize risks and avoid significant losses.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Ana Puebla Villaescusa, Elena Rodríguez del Río, Elena López Lunar, Sonia Fraile Gil, Eduardo Tejedor Tejada, José Diéguez Gómez, José Manuel Carrascosa Bernáldez
Due to the high interindividual variability in response to psychiatric treatments (age, weight, comorbidities, polypharmacy, diet, addictions, genetic polymorphism), pharmacokinetic monitoring is essential to individualize and optimize drug dosages, improve clinical efficacy, and reduce adverse effects.
A pharmacokinetic monitoring unit for psychiatric medications was established in a specialized mental health hospital.
• Design: Prospective study of plasma psychiatric drug levels in patients from a specialized mental health hospital between June and September 2025.
• Drugs monitored: valproic acid, lithium, clozapine, carbamazepine, risperidone+9-hydroxy-risperidone, olanzapine.
• Data collection: anthropometric and laboratory data, comorbidities, plasma levels, dosing history, drug interactions, addictions, dosage adjustment recommendations.
• Pharmacokinetic software: Bayesian and population pharmacokinetic models.
n= 129 patients (and 284 level measurements): 12 patients (9.3%) had levels above the established therapeutic ranges, and 35 (27.1%) had levels below range in at least one measurement.
• Valproic acid (n = 49): 5 (10.2%) above range (4 due to hypoalbuminemia); 14 (28.6%) below range. Among those, 5 using it as a mood stabilizer remained clinically stable without dose increase; 2 reduced their doses due to adverse effects while remaining stable. The rest had low levels due to different factors (drug interactions, clinical circumstances, poor adherence).
• Lithium (n = 34): 6 (16.7%) below range, half of them clinically stable; 1 (2.7%) above range due to an interaction with enalapril.
• Clozapine (n = 14): 9 (64,3%) below range due to several factors (poor adherence, adverse reactions that requires lower doses, possible genetic polymorphism). Despite below range, some patients remained clinically stable. The majority of patients were smokers, which significantly increases the drug’s metabolism, complicating dose adjustment without pharmacokinetic monitoring.
• Carbamazepine (n = 2): both within therapeutic range.
• Risperidone + 9-hydroxy-risperidone (n = 19): 2 (10.5%) below range; 7 (36.8%) above range, three of whom required monitoring for renal impairment, and the rest needed dose reductions to avoid supratherapeutic levels.
• Olanzapine (n = 9): 2 (22.2%) below range, one due to suspected non-adherence.
Ongoing optimization of pharmacokinetic monitoring of psychiatric medications, in which individualized dosage adjustment is required in a high percentage of patients to improve treatment efficacy and reduce adverse reactions in these patients.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Ewelina Lubieniecka – Archutowska, Bogusława Szmaja, Dorota Świtkowska, Agnieszka Prusko, Magdalena Jaśkowska, Marzena Mielczarek – Kęska, Urszula Dobrzycka – Magulska, Wioletta Kaliszan
Enteral nutrition therapy plays a crucial role in the management of patients who cannot meet their nutritional needs orally. Besides providing essential nutrients, enteral feeding access often serves as a route for drug administration, which requires specific knowledge about drug compatibility and pharmacotherapy safety among healthcare professionals.
The aim of this project was to improve the safety and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy administered through enteral feeding access at the University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk (UCC).
Based on literature review and institutional experience, the main challenges identified were related to the selection of appropriate medicines and pharmaceutical forms, as well as to the preparation and administration techniques used by nursing staff. To address these issues, several measures were implemented within UCC to enhance pharmacotherapy safety in patients with artificial enteral access.
A procedure titled “Principles of Administering Medicinal Products to Patients Receiving Enteral Nutrition via Feeding Tube or Gastrostomy” was developed and implemented. Within the hospital information system (Clininet), a dedicated list of medicines that must not be crushed or administered via enteral routes was introduced and made visible to physicians and nurses to support safe prescribing. Clininet also allows physicians, nurses, and dietitians to request pharmacotherapeutic consultations from hospital pharmacists. Pharmacists analyze and, when necessary, modify patients’ therapy. Medicines suitable for administration through enteral access were added to the hospital formulary, enabling physicians to choose formulations appropriate for crushing or alternative routes of administration. The hospital pharmacy introduced the so-called “Crushing Factory” – a centralized service where pharmacists prepare R.PEG-labeled medicines in safe forms and doses for enteral administration. Each administration is recorded in the patient’s medical documentation.
The implemented system led to:
• fewer prescribing and administration errors
• reduced drug loss and preparation mistakes
• fewer interactions and adverse effects
• compliance with accreditation standards for medication safety
• lower treatment costs and fewer pharmacological interventions
• reduced nursing workload and improved efficiency
Expand staff education on enteral pharmacotherapy, standardize training materials, monitor outcomes, introduce patients pharmaceutical discharge summaries and implement solutions hospital -wide to improve safety and continuity of care.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Pinzon Garcia, Viviana Andrea
Fajardo Escolar, Angelica Paola
Since implementing the Opioid Stewardship Programme in 2018, we have improved the management of morphine and hydromorphone in our hospital. This has not only reduced medication waste, but also created a hospital culture that recognises the importance of standard single-dose in ensuring medication safety. Based on this, we extended the programme to include other controlled medicines, after identifying the need to limit the use of vials and ampoules of fentanyl, remifentanil and ketamine considering the available commercial presentations and the probability of using these products on multiple patients without maintaining their sterility.
We extended the coverage and monitoring of the unit-dose system to include other controlled medications apart from morphine and hydromorphone, through interdisciplinary collaboration between the Anaesthesia and Pharmacy Departments, with the aim of reducing waste and the risk of misuse at San Ignacio University Hospital, a high-level hospital in Bogotá, Colombia.
As part of the annual Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee operative plan, the pharmacy and anaesthesia departments evaluated the risks in the medication order cycle of opioids and other controlled medications, defining strategies using an improvement cycle model. We assessed the feasibility of preparing unit doses of these medications, as well as the storage, preservation conditions and logistics of medication inventory. We deployed the strategy through staff training, mainly in operating rooms, intensive care and resuscitation, and established a follow-up of consumption and adherence, records of remnant disposal, cases of naloxone use and events reported to the pharmacovigilance programme.
The average proportion of standard single-dose prescriptions in 2025 was 74% for hydromorphone, 77% for morphine, 84% for fentanyl and 50% for remifentanil. Through our compounding center, we prepared 143,854 doses of these medications in 2024 and 78,421 from January to August 2025. The inventory write-off percentage due to expiration was 1.06% in 2024 and 0.38% in the first eight months of 2025. The percentage of hospitalised patients who received naloxone was 0.20 in the first semester of 2024 and 0.17 in the first semester of 2025.
Conducting interdisciplinary rounds in services to identify on-site adherence to implemented practices and supportting Human Talent, maintaining the improvement cycle process.
Introductory Statements and Governance
Chiara Cardinali, Massimo Fioretti, Carlo Polidori
In some realities, recent laws allow the administration of hospital medications in outpatients setting by defining two dedicated paths: protected discharge and taking charge directly on the territory. This therapeutic approach is made possible by the collaboration between the clinicians and the community doctors.
The project aims to examine the continuity of pharmaceutical care in our reality taking into account some clinical outcomes, management implications as well as economic aspects.
The Pharmacy Unit analysed all documentation, including prescriptions, from 2022 to the beninning of 2025, aiming to assess safety and adherence outcomes.
A written survey was conducted among community doctors and clinicians in order to evaluate their level of knowledge of the law and to collect their feedback.
Analysis of the 2023 final balance sheet enabled us to make some economic considerations.
Finally, we interviewed home nurses to find out their perception of risk related to the administration of hospital medications in outpatients setting.
There were 45 total runs, and the Infectious Diseases Unit was the most active department; consistently,77% of prescriptions included antimicrobials. None of the 140 pharmacovigilance reports was related to this pharmaceutical approach.
51 doctors completed the survey: among them, only 24 doctors were familiar with this law. Both community doctors and clinicians claim that the difficulty in collaborating with each other undermines the feasibility of the approach and they require greater support from hospital pharmacists.
A total of 678 days of hospitalisation were avoided: the financial savings amounted to EUR 1,130,904 over the three-year period.
Safety and collaboration were the themes that emerged from the 11 interviews that have been collected: nurses mentioned the risk of storing medicines at home, the transcription of therapies on several documents and the lack of protocols for managing emergencies at home.
In conclusion, this law represents an important opportunity for the quality and sustainability of pharmaceutical care, but it requires a collaboration between hospital doctors, community doctors and nurses that should be implemented with a solid and tailored organisational model.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Cristina Garcia Fernandez, Estela Alamino Arrebola, Bárbara Lopez Bautís, Carmen Gallego Fernandez, Begoña Tortajada Goitia.
Patient safety in clinical trials relies on the correct management of both investigational and auxiliary/comparator medications. While investigational products are usually managed through automated systems (e.g., IWRS) ensuring traceability and standardization, auxiliary medications often lack similar oversight from sponsors. A preventable medication error in an oncology clinical trial—caused by the preparation of an incorrect drug concentration due to the absence of automated supply and harmonization—highlighted the need to analyze system gaps and implement corrective actions to strengthen patient safety and medication traceability.
A Root Cause Analysis (RCA) was conducted following the detection of a medication error involving the preparation of hospital stock (20 mg/mL) instead of the clinical trial formulation (10 mg/mL). The objective was to identify systemic weaknesses and design a Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) plan aimed at preventing recurrence and improving management of auxiliary medication in clinical trials.
The RCA was performed in July 2025 using the “5 Whys” methodology, supported by:
-Document review, staff interviews, and chronological reconstruction of the event.
-Analysis of human, technical, communicative, and organizational factors.
-Classification of the incident (NCC MERP category D — no patient harm).
Corrective measures implemented included:
– Creation of a pre-trial pharmacy checklist to ensure drug availability and concentration verification.
– Mandatory pharmaceutical validation after any protocol amendment.
– Formal requests to sponsors to standardize drug concentrations across sites.
– Improved communication channels between sponsors, pharmacy, and clinical teams
-Identification of the main root cause: lack of automation in auxiliary drug supply requiring manual requests.
-Prevention of similar future events through harmonized pharmacy processes.
-Reinforcement of patient safety culture and traceability of clinical trial medications.
-Strengthened collaboration among hospital pharmacy, clinical teams, and sponsors.
-No patient harm resulted from the event, confirming the importance of early detection and system review.
-Extend IWRS automation and standardization practices to include auxiliary medications in all clinical trials.
-Share the initiative with other hospital pharmacies and sponsors to promote harmonization at institutional and multicenter levels.
-Continue monitoring the implemented CAPA and evaluate its impact on error prevention.
-Foster continuous improvement in pharmacy oversight and communication workflows for clinical research.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Arce Sánchez, M; Álvaro Alonso, EA; Barrueco Fernández, N; Prieto Román, S; López Guerra, L; Sánchez Lorenzo, M; Flox Benítez, MP; Escobar Rodríguez, I.
Accurate weighing of raw materials(RM) is a fundamental step in ensuring the quality and safety of compounding in a pharmaceutical laboratory(PL).
Implement the use of standard masses(SM) to ensure that RM weighings performed in the PL analytical balance are as accurate as possible.
1.Balance employed is class I, with special accuracy, precision 1mg, and weighing range 10mg-220g. For this reason, E2 SM were purchased in accordance with the classification of the International-Organisation-Legal-Metrology(OIML). SM were calibrated by a laboratory accredited by the National-Accreditation-Entity(ENAC), stored under the same conditions as the balance, and handled according to manufacturer’s instructions.
2.A sensitivity test was performed to measure accuracy. The USP and chapter of the European-Pharmacopoeia, establish that the SM must be between 5% and 100% of the maximum weighing capacity of the balance. The test is satisfactory when the result obtained is within 0.1% of the nominal value(control-limit). An alert-limit was also establish(calculated as half control-limit).
3.A record form, standard-operating-procedure(SOP) and working circuit were designed. Before weighing RM, the pharmacy technician(PT) must verify leveling and internal calibration; weigh the selected SM, and record the result.
4.If weight is outside any limits, repeat internal calibration and weigh again. If it remains outside the alert-limit, the balance can be used, but the pharmacist must be notified to request external calibration. If it exceeds the control-limit, the balance cannot be used, and external calibration must be requested while another balance is employed.
SM acquired were: 10mg,20mg,20g,50g, and 100g. Those chosen to perform the sensitivity test were 20g and 100g(9.09% and 45.45% of maximum weighing balance capacity).
The range defined for 20g SM was 20g±20mg. Control-limit was 20g±10mg(19.990g-20.010g) and alert-limit was 20g±5mg(19.995g-20.005g).
The range defined for 100g SM was 100g±100mg. Control-limit was 100g±50mg(99.950g-100.050g) and alert-limit was 100g±25mg(99.975g-100.025g).
Since it was implemented in January-2025, all weighings have remained within the range.
The use of SM has shown to be a satisfactory circuit in ensuring the accuracy of the weighing of RM, used in the preparation of pharmaceutical compounding, thereby guaranteeing their safety and quality. This circuit could be established in other pharmacy departments.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Elisabetta Volpi, Hospital Pharmacy, Ospedale del Cuore, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio;
Irene Benassi, Specialisation school in Hospital Pharmacy, University of Pisa;
Sara Tonazzini, Hospital Pharmacy, Ospedale del Cuore, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio;
Giuseppa Lo Surdo, Hospital Pharmacy, Ospedale del Cuore, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio;
Mario Cossu, Information systems and information technologies, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio
Maurizio Mangione, Information systems and information technologies, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio
Mattia Lorenzini, Nursing, Technical and Rehabilitation Service, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio;
Stefania Baratta, Nursing, Technical and Rehabilitation Service, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio;
Pierantonio Furfori, Anesthesia and Resuscitation Unit, Ospedale del Cuore, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio;
Paolo Del Sarto, Anesthesia and Resuscitation Unit, Ospedale del Cuore, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio;
Stefania Biagini, Hospital Pharmacy, Ospedale del Cuore, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio.
Most preventable adverse events occur during medication use, especially with intravenous (IV) drugs requiring preparation before administration. Furthermore, for infusions, proper labelling is critical to reduce the risk of medication errors.
Our hospital has used an electronic therapeutic record (eSTU) for over 10 years. In 2020, a multidisciplinary team of anesthesiologists, pharmacists, nurses and health IT specialists developed a dedicated module to ensure traceability of drug prescribing and administration in the operating room, focusing on cardiac surgery. At the same time, infusion syringe labelling evolved from handwritten to computerized labels, improving safety and traceability. This study aimed to assess impact of a standardized electronic prescribing and labelling system.
All standardized IV prescriptions issued during cardiac surgeries between 2021 and June 2025 were included in the analysis. Prescriptions were categorized by administration mode (bolus or infusion) to assess healthcare professionals’ adherence to the standardized prescribing system. A qualitative evaluation of labels applied to infusions was also performed.
The standardized prescription system was used in 5.272 procedures (4.542 adults; 730 pediatric), averaging 1.009 adult and 162 pediatric surgeries per year. A total of 93.291 prescriptions were recorded (81.861 in adults, 18 per procedure; 11.430 in pediatric cases, 16 per procedure), with a progressive increase from 18.211 prescriptions in 2021 to 20.955 in 2024 (+15.1%). These results confirm the system’s usability and effectiveness of staff training. Qualitative analysis of labelling practices initially showed syringe labels were handwritten and included limited information (e.g., drug name, concentration). With the computerized system, printed labels now contain detailed data: drug name, identifying code, dose, diluent, concentration, preparation date and time.
Our data demonstrate, for the first time, that the adoption of a standardized prescription system in cardiac surgery is an effective strategy, offering a fast, safe and user-friendly approach. Furthermore, computer-generated labelling ensures complete traceability and reduces the risk of medication errors.
Growing adoption of standardized prescription in both adult and pediatric cardiac surgery confirms its feasibility in high-complexity settings. Extending this system to other surgical areas (e.g., Gynecology, Hemodynamics, Electrophysiology) may further enhance medication safety across the hospital.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Javier Mata Alonso, Paula Ruiz Briones, Carlos Jiménez Villarón, Andrés Prado Lozano, Gonzalo Domínguez Chaparro, David Samitier Samitier, Juan Manuel Montes Gómez, Félix García Moreno, Sagrario Pernía López, Ana Herranz Alonso, María Sanjurjo Sáez
Concomitant use of ophthalmic drugs and contact lenses (CL) is frequent in clinical practice. However, product data sheets usually provide limited or unspecific guidance regarding compatibility. This information gap may lead to inappropriate use, discomfort, or ocular toxicity. Pharmacists can play a key role in ensuring safe use through structured, evidence-based counselling. This initiative was developed to identify existing safety gaps and to establish practical recommendations for clinical decision-making.
A review was conducted of ophthalmic drugs authorised and marketed in Spain to determine available information on their compatibility with CL. The objective was to compile regulatory data, identify inconsistencies, and design a reference framework of recommendations for pharmacists advising patients who use CL and require topical ocular treatment.
Data were obtained from the CIMA database (Spanish Medicines Agency). Among 301 registered eye drops, 186 were authorised and marketed. Products containing benzalkonium chloride (BAK) were excluded due to known incompatibility. The remaining 96 formulations (52 unique presentations) were reviewed using technical data sheets (sections 4.4 and 6.1) and compared with evidence from clinical guidelines and major ophthalmology literature. Information was synthesised into practical counselling recommendations.
Most data sheets lacked clear guidance. Three patterns were identified: no mention of CL, a generic 15-minute delay, or explicit contraindication. Only two products (bilastine 6 mg/mL and sodium chloride 0.9%) explicitly allowed CL use. Based on pharmacological class, evidence-based recommendations were developed to guide pharmacists in advising patients on safe CL use with ophthalmic drugs.
This practice model is ready to be implemented in hospital pharmacy services. Future steps include incorporating the recommendations into clinical protocols, developing patient information materials, and collaborating with ophthalmology departments to enhance safety and consistency in pharmaceutical counselling.
