EAHP represents over 29,000 hospital pharmacists across 36 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 professionals.
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 of Germany 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.
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.
Sponsor Channel
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.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
MARTÍNEZ LLIBERATO, A; COMPANY ALBIR, MJ; VICENTE ESCRIG, E; VALLEJO GARCÍA, R; RUBIO ORTOLÁ, L; GARCÍA MONTAÑÉS, S; BELLÉS MEDALL, MD; FERRANDO PIQUERES, R
It was carried out to ensure the best monitoring, traceability and conservation of long-acting antiretroviral drugs, as well as to improve adherence and patient quality of life and reduce stigma in HIV patients.
A program was developed for the administration and pharmacotherapeutic monitoring of patients who are candidates for long-acting antiretroviral treatment (LA-ART), coordinated with the infectious diseases unit (IDU) and the Hospital Pharmacy Outpatient Unit (HPOU).
After the inclusion of the drugs in the pharmacotherapeutic guide, the following program was designed:
1. Identification and communication to the HPOU by the IDU of patients who are candidates for LA-ART and electronic prescription.
2. Initial visit (week 0):
• Review and validation of the treatment by the pharmacist: indication, dosage regimen, interactions, contraindications.
• Planning of the annual administration calendar, providing two dates within the window period allowed by these drugs. Patients are scheduled for pharmaceutical care (PC) and administration on working Thursdays, in the HPOU Health Education Consultation agenda, which has a nurse.
• Information to the patient by the pharmacist, orally and in writing, about administration and adverse reactions. In addition, the annual appointment schedule is provided.
• Appointment of the patient for the first successive visit, if the patient accepts the start.
3. SMS sent the day before, to remind the patient of the follow-up visit. If the patient cannot attend the scheduled appointment, he/she will contact the HPOU to schedule an alternative date according to the calendar.
4. Successive visits (week 4 and every 8 weeks):
• PC
• Intramuscular administration by a nurse.
In all visits, the information is recorded in the patient’s computerized medical history.
Of 18 candidate patients in 18 months, 15 accepted ART after the initial visit. 89 PC and administration consultations have been carried out. Adherence was 100%, all reported local discomfort at the injection site between 1 and 7 days after administration and only 1 patient reported pyrexia.
A program applicable to all HPOU that have nursing and a Health Education consultation to implement adherence in these patients.
Production and Compounding
K. Koch, The Pharmacy of the capital region of Denmark, Quality, Herlev, Denmark
R. Højmark, The Pharmacy of the capital region of Denmark, non-sterile production, Herlev, Denmark
L.R. Duckert, The Pharmacy of the capital region of Denmark, non-sterile production, Herlev, Denmark
T. Schnor, The Pharmacy of the capital region of Denmark, production, Herlev, Denmark
There is an interest in implementing more safe, affordable, and sustainable treatment methods for patients for whom a personalized approach is beneficial. These treatments can be expensive and associated with patient safety and compliance issues. For the pediatric population, many medications are not available in appropriate form or dose and therefore is being manipulated before administration. Extemporaneous oral solutions often have a limited shelf life and bad physical properties or undesirable excipients.
Patients with impaired renal function or need for accurate dose adjustments are also expected to benefit from 3D-printed orally disintegrating tablets (OTDs).
The initial steps necessary before implementing 3D-printing for manufacturing personalized ODTs has been identified and completed. The clinical advantages and barriers of the personalized treatment has been discussed interdisciplinary and the new dosage form has been risk evaluated in dialogue with the competent authority. As a result, the best suited technology has been identified.
The European marked has been searched for technologies suitable for extemporaneous personalized production in hospital pharmacies. 3D-printed OTDs was identified as most easily implemented both concerning technology, GMP and patient acceptance.
A dialogue about risks and benefits regarding 3D-ptinted ODTs was initiated with the hospital staff. Risks identified concerned the number of drugs available for 3D-printing, the need for stability testing and resistance from authorities. Benefits like flexibility, just-in-time preparation and patient safety was identified.
A meeting was held with the competent authority, to establish the level of validation, documentation and analysis needed on the final product and starting materials.
The necessary steps to get started have been identified and completed. Risks and benefits were assessed, and the decision about implementing 3D-printed ODTs was made. An equipment that is reliable and automated has been sourced.
An API for the initial manufacture was selected, combining clinical relevance and adequate physical properties.
Ink/matrix for the 3D-printer was evaluated and found safe for medicines for children. The matrix is manufactured according to GMP.
A regulatory framework has been agreed upon with the competent authority.
Validation of the equipment and printing of the first ODTs to be used in the clinic.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
AGUILAR GUISADO, CAROLINA. PHARMACY SERVICE. EL ESCORIAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
SANCHEZ SUAREZ , SUSANA.PHARMACY SERVICE. EL ESCORIAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
GARCIA GIMENO, M MERCEDES.PHARMACY SERVICE. EL ESCORIAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
OTERINO MOREIRA, IVAN.PHARMACY SERVICE. EL ESCORIAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
FIORANTE EMILSE SILVANA. INTERNAL MEDICINE SERVICE.EL ESCORIAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
BARCIA MARTIN M ISABEL.PHARMACY SERVICE. EL ESCORIAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
SAAVEDRA QUIROS VIRGINIA.PHARMACY SERVICE. EL ESCORIAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Current antiretroviral therapies are effective, but adherence can be difficult for some patients, so innovation in parenterally administered antiretroviral treatments can help with adherence, as well as reducing the burden on patients with chronic HIV infection.
Aim and Objectives: to implement a pharmaceutical care circuit for dispensing long-acting antiretroviral treatments in adult HIV patients.
Expected Improvements: Optimize antiviral use, enhance patient satisfaction, address adherence and maintain clinical effectiveness.
Circuit Design and Stages: In 2023, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee introduced intramuscular antiviral treatment with cabotegravir and rilpivirine, and established use criteria, in collaboration with the Internal Medicine service and Nursing consultation involved in the administration(NP):
1. Adults with undetectable Viral Load (VL) for at least 12 months
2. Treatment duration of 6-12 months
3. No prior resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or integrase inhibitors
4. Absence of HBV co-infection
5. Not pregnant or planning to conceive
6. Good treatment adherence
Pre-Treatment Circuit:
1. Medical Consultation: Clinical assessment and criteria evaluation.
2. Treatment Request: Physicians submit requests electronically.
3. Pharmacy Evaluation: Assessment of adherence to criteria with communication to the physician. Approved requests result in electronic prescriptions, ensuring correct dispensing.
In-Person Pharmaceutical Care Consultations (FCC):
• The first two visits confirm patient commitment and deliver dosing schedules.
• Medications are dispensed by pharmacy technicians and administered at Nursing practice
• From the third dose, consultations are conducted remotely to monitor adherence and effectiveness.
Nursing practice tasks:
• Confirm patient attendance the day before administration.
• Request medication from the pharmacy for the patient.
• Administer treatment and schedule future appointments based on the established calendar.
Implementation: The program began in November 2023.
8 patients were included, achieving 100% compliance from all services involved. Patient satisfaction is high, with undetectable VL maintained for 6-12 months post-treatment change. Mild flu-like symptoms were reported by 2 patients, and 2voluntarily discontinued due to mood concerns. 3 patients are awaiting treatment changes. All patients included underwent face-to-face FCC for the first and second doses, and telematic consultation for successive doses.
Limitations: small sample size.
This pharmaceutical care circuit can be adapted to various pharmacy services, providing a promising approach for HIV treatment adherence.The sample size needs to be enlarged for further studies.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Solís-Cuñado S. (1), Sánchez-Cerviño A.C. (2), Martínez-Núñez M.E. (1), Gómez-Bermejo M. (1), Martín-Zaragoza L. (1), Rubio-Ruiz L. (1), Onteniente-González A. (1), Molina-García T. (1)
1. Hospital Pharmacy Service, Getafe University Hospital, Getafe (Madrid), Spain.
2. Hospital Pharmacy Service, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain.
The implementation of multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship teams(AST) in hospitals optimizes antibiotic use in order to improve clinical results, reduce antibiotic toxicity and minimize the emergence and spread of multidrug resistant(MDR) bacteria.
The objective is to present targeted interventions for the improvement of the management of lower respiratory tract infections(LRTI) and to reflect the impact of these strategies through the presentation of antibiotic use results.
Two main interventions have been implemented in LRTI:
-Protocolize the management of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) in order to prioritize beta-lactam plus macrolide(bLM) combination versus fluoroquinolones(FQ) monotherapy. The aim is to decrease FQ consumption due to their safety issues and the major role of this antibiotics in the emergence of MDR bacteria.
-Identify patients with severe LRTI and/or risk factors of multi-drug resistant(RFMDR) bacterial infections to encourage nasal swab screening(NSS) for meticillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) to promote de-escalation of anti-MRSA antibiotics.
Study period: 2023 and first semester of 2024.
-CAP guideline: we studied the bLM vs FQ consumption expressed as the ratio between bLM DOT/FQ DOT (Days Of Therapy; DOT) in all hospitalized patients. Analysis was carried out on forth-month period.
-NSS: we reviewed the total number of NSS performed and the impact on duration of antiMRSA antibiotics therapy. Analysis by semesters.
After protocolization, the BLM´s DOT/FQ´s DOT ratio increased 39.4% from the beginning of 2023 until 2024: 0.66 vs 0.92.
Our AST reviewed 378 episodes of LRTI. At least one nasal screening was performed in 60.6% of episodes (n=229/378) of which 29.2% were positive (n=67/229). The mean duration of treatment with anti-MRSA antibiotics in the positive cases was 7.42 days, while in the 214 negative cases it was 6.4 days.
69% of the patients with LRTI that have been reviewed in our AST meets at least one RFMDR.
The frequent lack of diagnostic value of respiratory samples, coupled with the high percentage of RFMDR patients, results in long-lasting broad-spectrum empirical antibiotic treatments.
It is therefore proposed that a polymerase chain reaction(PCR) test be performed on candidate patients for the purpose of screening for MRSA, with a view to obtaining rapid results that will facilitate earlier antibiotic de-escalations.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
This service emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the collection of hospital medication posed patients, many of whom were immunocompromised, at higher risk for COVID-19 and other infections, as they had to enter the hospital facilities. Over time, it was observed that this service was not only beneficial during periods of high SARS-CoV-2 transmission. RutiCar enabled medication pickup from the patient’s own private vehicle, avoiding necessity for parking as well as entering the hospital.
In June 2021, the Pharmacy Department of Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital(HUGTP) established an outpatient medication dispensing point located outside the hospital premises, “RutiCar”. This initiative facilitated patients in collecting their chronic treatments without entering the hospital, enabling direct access from their vehicles.
A new preparation and dispensing circuit was established. The patients specify their preferred date for medication pickup by telephone, e-mail or by a form after scanning a QR code. Pharmacy technicians undertake the responsibility of scheduling the appointment and preparing the medications one day prior to the designated dispensing day. The prepared medications are transported early in the morning to a temporary medication storage facility situated within the hospital’s parking area. Finally, the patient arrives at RutiCar at their scheduled appointment time and, without the need to exit their vehicle, collects their medication.
This service is aimed at patients with chronic treatments who have been on their medication for an extended period (>6 months) and show adherence. Pharmacists play an important role in this context, by ensuring that patients meet the criteria to initiate RutiCar service, reviewing treatments to validate their continuation and overseeing medication pickups to enhance patient adherence.
This service has led to an improvement in the medication dispensing process, assisting 10.46%(282) of the monthly average of patients who collect hospital medication(2695) and extending the hours for medication pickup, facilitating the work-life balance for patients and enhancing access to patients from remote areas.
In the future, improvements can be considered, such as implementing reminders for patients who have not yet scheduled their appointments and are projected to run out of medication soon, or automated appointment systems.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Vanessa Gomes, Jonathan De Gregori, Greta Dusabe, Hélène Feyeux, Cyril Boronad
MiS is a telephone service that provides free, reliable information about medicines to all patients and their caregivers. Requests are handled by experienced hospital pharmacists. It is important to know how patients behave after calling MiS in order to assess the benefits of this service on the proper use of medicines.
The aim of this study was to assess patients’ behaviour regarding their medication after calling the MiS.
After prior agreement, patients were called back 7 days later to answer a specific survey including six questions: Was the medication changed after the call? Did the patient follow the advice of the MiS pharmacist? Did the patient consult a doctor? or another source of information? Did the patient feel that their health had improved? What are the benefits of this service?
Between 2024/03/05 and 2024/03/18, 20 callers completed the survey (65%). Most questions concerned drug interactions (48%), followed by side effects (22%), drug stability (7%), administrative information (7%), indications/contraindications (7%), product availability (3,%), proper use (3%) and dosage (3%). Thanks to the advice of MiS pharmacists, 47% of callers started taking their medication: half of these were prescribed by their doctor and the other half self-administered. Around a third of treatments were continued without change, while 6% were modified. Finally, 12% of treatments were discontinued because of side effects. After calling MiS, 15% of patients consulted a doctor and 15% consulted other sources of information (neighbours, health professionals, etc.). More than half of the patients felt that their health had improved after calling MiS. Lastly, 70% of patients described MiS as safe, 40% as accessible, 35% as available and 30% as a time-saver.
The demand for MiS shows that patients are looking for more information about their treatments, even if they have already consulted a healthcare professional. The number of treatments prescribed by the doctor that were only initiated after the call also illustrates the benefits of the MiS service. It is an additional service that can reassure callers and contribute to the proper use of medicines by conveying a positive image of treatments and information suited to callers’ knowledge.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Saúl Herrera Carranza, Carlos Sanz Sánchez, Sira Sanz Márquez, José Francisco Valverde Cánovas, Leonor Moreno Núñez, Ana Vegas Serrano, Rafael Hervás Gómez, Oriol Martín Segarra, Juan Emilio Losa García, Montserrat Pérez Encinas
Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy(SEFH) proposed 13 indicators(bibliography:Gutiérrez-Urbón JM, Gil-Navarro MV, Moreno-Ramos F, Núñez-Núñez M, Paño-Pardo JR, Periáñez-Párraga L. Indicators of the hospital use of antimicrobial agents based on consumption. Farm Hosp. 2019;43(3):94-100) which could help to improve the quality of antimicrobial use.
Indicators are related directly(dir): higher value-better practices; indirectly(ind):lower value-better practices; or heterogeneity: homogeneous percentages(%)-better practices.
The creation of a tool for calculating new indicators of antimicrobial agents based on consumption using Defined Daily Dose per 100 hospital stays(DDD/100s).
We built an Excel tool to input required data in order to calculate the indicators with the formulas defined for their automated estimation:
-Overall antibacterial consumption(ind)
-Overall consumption of antifungals(ind)
-Consumption of carbapenemics(ind)
-Consumption of fluoroquinolones(ind)
-Ratio macrolides-p/fluoroquinolones-p(dir)
-Ratio metronidazole-p/piperacillin-tazobactam+carbapenemics(dir)
-Fosfomycin consumption(dir)
-Sequential therapy(dir)
-Ratio anti-SRSA/anti-MRSA agents(dir)
-Ratio amoxicillin/amoxicillin-clavulanic acid(dir)
-Ratio amoxicillin-clavulanic acid/piperacillin-tazobactam(dir)
-Diversification of anti-pseudomonas beta-lactam(heterogeneity): %anti-pseudomonal carbapenemics, %piperacillin-tazobactam and %anti-pseudomonal cephalosporins+aztreonam.
— Ratio fluconazole/equinocandins (dir)
DDD/100s for the years 2018-2022 were calculated in order to see the annual evolution. Required data: antibiotic (ATC Group: J01) and antifungal (ATC Group: J02) consumption by drug and route of administration (oral (o), parenteral (p) and others). Calculation of DDD/100s according to grammes consumed (obtained with Hospital Pharmacy software) and ATC/DDD-Index (World Health Organization). To visually analyse results, graphs were included.
We realised that our hospital improved by decreasing consumption of antibacterial, antifungal, carbapenemics and fluoroquinolones; and so, an early parenteral-oral switch.
However, the other ratio-based indicators are stable or worsening yearly: macrolides-p/fluoroquinolones-p, metronidazole-p/piperacillin-tazobactam+carbapenemics, fosfomycin consumption, anti-SRSA/anti-MRSA agents, amoxicillin/amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid/piperacillin-tazobactam, fluconazole/equinocandins and diversification of anti-pseudomonas beta-lactam.
These indicators provide possible improvement actions to enhance the use of antimicrobial agents. Consumption of fosfomycin or amoxicillin/amoxicillin-clavulanic acid ratio should be cautiously analysed due to outpatient (or in emergencies) management of uncomplicated infections. As improvement actions in our hospital, increase the use of metronidazole-p in anaerobic infections or cloxacillin and cefazolin de-escalation can be promoted as soon as sensitivity is confirmed by antibiogram-test. Diversify antibiotic pressure on pseudomonas, trying to reduce piperacillin-tazobactam by prescribing ceftazidime or cefepime, and reserving aztreonam for beta-lactams allergics. Similarly, decrease piperacillin-tazobactam use by prescribing amoxicillin-clavulanic acid if anti-pseudomonal coverage is not necessary.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Lene Juhl Biltsted, Louise Stilling Rasmussen
In Denmark, patients with schizophrenia receive free antipsychotic medication for the initial two years post-diagnosis. Post this period, patients transition to the primary sector and assume the medication costs. Historically, the clinic dispensed larger medication quantities, offering short-term relief but not addressing the issue. This approach risks medication waste. The new workflows empower healthcare professionals to help patients establish stable financial arrangements with local pharmacies, curbing fluctuating medication expenses. This enhances patient safety by reducing at-home medication stockpiles. Financial barriers often undermine patient compliance. Healthcare professionals strive to aid patients, curbing relapses and readmissions, through rational, sustainable medication management that minimises resource wastage.
Training improved healthcare professional’s understanding of the Danish medication subsidy system and options for deferment in the primary sector.
The healthcare professionals’ new knowledge has provided the foundation for the development of optimised workflows in the treatment process, ensuring a more sustainable medication management during the transition to the primary sector. The project establishes the framework for reducing the risk of medication waste upon the patient’s completion of treatment at the clinic.
It also created a favourable setting for healthcare providers to collaborate with patients, enhancing adherence.
Healthcare professionals received training on deferment arrangements, subsidies, and compliance, with supervision from clinical pharmacists.
Patient cases were analysed to determine factors for future guidelines.
Guidelines were formulated to aid healthcare professionals during the patients’ transition to the primary sector.
A tool (calculator) was created for assessing the patients’ economic choices regarding medication expenses.
Healthcare professionals gained confidence in guiding patients on stable medication expenses.
Enhanced rational and sustainable medication use by incorporating the seven rights.
New guidelines now allow an appropriate quality assurance strategy to ensure sustainability and adherence.
Tool to assess medication costs which improves the patients adherence in the sector transition.
Lowered risk of over/under treatment and improper storage.
Diminished treatment failure risk by predicting patient medication expenses during the primary sector transition
In the next 6 months, the clinic will trial the established guidelines and routines with patients concluding their 2-year treatment.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
NURIA FERNANDEZ PIÑEIRO, CRISTINA GONZALEZ PEREZ, LIDIA YBAÑEZ GARCIA, NATALIA SANCHEZ-OCAÑA MARTÍN, JOSE MANUEL MARTINEZ SESMERO
In our area all care for PrEP users was centralised in a specialised centre. Here, a multidisciplinary team made up of doctors, nurses and pharmacists integrated in a patient-centred care model. PrEP users are a potentially vulnerable population. Health education and motivation are provided in the PhC consultations to raise awareness about the use of medication and adherence to treatment, which are key to avoiding HIV infection. The use of sex-related drugs is a growing health problem in this population and has been associated with increased HIV transmission risk.
Development and implementation of a monographic pharmaceutical care (PhC) consultation for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users.
On 20 January 2020, the PhC consultation was launched in a monographic STI care centre linked to a tertiary hospital.
– On the same day as the first medical appointment, the user attends a PhC appointment. In this unit the user receives the necessary information to properly take the medication. Possible interactions are reviewed, not only with medications, but also with natural medicine, sports supplements and drugs. All doubts are resolved and the medication is dispensed.
– Every 3 months medical follow-up is carried out and, in the PhC consultation, where not only possible adverse effects are reviewed, but also adherence and related problems are specially monitored. To increase the quality of care, active communication between all health personnel was ensured.
Until 30 September 2022, 3,460 initial visits and 13,349 follow-up visits have been made (411 of them through telepharmacy during the lockdown as a result of the global pandemic by SARS-CoV-2). From the users, 98.98% were men who have sex with men (MSM), 0.80% transgender women, 0.04% transgender men and 0.18% were women. 70.3% used sex-related drugs (Chemsex), with the most used substances being Popper (37.1%), mephedrone (28.2%) and gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) (24.6%).
In our experience, the role of hospital pharmacists as a reference health personnel for HIV-PrEP users has become clear, not only as an expert in medication. Given the prevalence of drug use in this population makes the health education that we hospital pharmacists can provide especially important.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Viviana Andrea Pinzon Garcia, Paula Camila Murcia Jaramillo, Reinaldo Grueso Angulo
In 2018, concerned with the opioid crisis in USA, the pharmacy and therapeutic committee began to work on safer opioid use; an initial diagnosis showed an increase in the use of in hospital opioids and a lack of protocol for the disposal of the resultant remnants. Standard single-dose syringes (SSDS) were devised to avoid remnants, subsequently noticing that the strategies to be used should involve the whole medication order cycle (MOC). This gave rise to the OSP, which involves physician’s pain management and prescribing practices, pharmacy preparing and dispensing process, nurse’s custody, administration and disposing protocols.
An Opioid Stewardship Programme (OSP) led by a multidisciplinary team: scientific direction, pharmacy and pain clinic, was implemented to ensure adequate and safe opioid prescription, dispensation, administration and disposing practices in San Ignacio University Hospital (HUSI), a tertiary level hospital in Bogota, Colombia.
Institutional pain practice guidelines were assessed, unifying the titration doses with SSDS and developing disposal protocols in which care staff is constantly being trained ever since. To trace the impact of the OSP, indicators for IV opioid consumption, SSDS prescription, naloxone use and guideline adherence were created.
Main obstacles on SSDS: <10% prescribing adherence, availability failures and dose expiration. In response, the whole ampoule prescription was narrowed to only pain specialists to face SSDS expiration costs and avoid shortage.
SSDS prescription proportion above 70% by July 2022, decreased milligram morphine equivalent (MME) consumption per hospital discharge (January 2019: 37, January 2020: 47, January 2021 (COVID 2nd surge): 39, January 2022: 25, July 2022 (COVID 3rd surge):16) and monthly costs decrease in 1997 USD, between 2019 and 2022.
An opioid shortage during the COVID surges, deepened in Colombia due to a hydromorphone recall, was avoided.
The OSP initiative could be replied in healthcare institutions considering our achievements. To keep working in a safer opioid MOC, our OSP has formulated new strategies with an active role of pharmacists, pain specialists and nurses oriented to: remnants disposal protocol, prescribing policies, medication error detection and healthcare staff and patient education.
