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.
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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
Olga Nedopilkova, Stanislav Gregor
The project was created to increase quality and maintain continuity of a health care provided in the Czech Republic and to prevent any discontinuity which could endanger the patient. Emergency dispensing of a drug is enabled by new functionality which is the patient’s drug record (PDR) which was only launched in the CZE in June 2020. Last but not least it is about expanding existing competencies of pharmacists and strengthening pharmacists’ position in the healthcare system.
The Association of Young Pharmacists, with support of the Czech Chamber of Pharmacists, created a project which is focusing on a possibility of dispensing a chronically used prescription drug in case a patient cannot obtain a prescription for various reasons (“emergency dispensing of a drug”). In hospital pharmacies in the Czech Republic (CZE), it is possible to dispense medicines to the public. A concept has been developed that describes all the essentials that must be followed.
A project proposal describing specific situations when the pharmacist can proceed to emergency dispensing, rules of the actual implementation and also cost analysis has been prepared). A search for experience from abroad has been conducted as well. Subsequently, a survey among pharmacists was conducted. The purpose of the survey was to determine whether pharmacists are interested in this competence and have comments on it. Then a comprehensive concept was submitted to the Ministry of Health. Specific legislative changes will now be needed.
Among pharmacists in the CZE, a considerable agreement was reached with the draft. According to the survey 94% of pharmacists agree with the prepared proposal, 3.2% disagree, and the remaining 2.8% agree with minor modifications to the request. Furthermore, we managed to develop a concept that describes detailed conditions for dispensing drugs in emergency mode. The concept was submitted to the Ministry of Health, with which the details of this proposal will now be gradually negotiated.
This project represents only one of the new competencies that pharmacists could achieve. We want to follow up on this step with another project that would enable pharmacists to prescribe chronically used drugs under specific conditions even outside emergency situations.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Chiara Inserra, Antonio Solinas, Chiara Panciroli, Branden Nemecek, David Zimmerman, J.Douglas Bricker, Piera Polidori
Successful implementation of clinical pharmacy services are associated with improved prescribing practices. SIFO includes clinical pharmacy in their mission to line up with Section 4 of the European Statement on Hospital Pharmacy and is striving for implementation through advanced trainings for IHPs. The aim of this EP was to provide real world clinical pharmacy training to IHPs.
Through international collaboration between Duquesne University School of Pharmacy in Pittsburgh (PA-USA) and the Italian Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SIFO) a clinical pharmacy exchange programme (EP) was established to provide clinical education to Italian pharmacists interested in advancing the profession. From 2010 to 2018, SIFO provided several grants to allow Italian hospital pharmacists (IHPs) to participate. In 2018, three IHPs from across Italy were selected for a 1 month experience to gain experience and insight into practices that they may use in their facilities.
The clinical training was created by Duquesne University to provide IHPs educational and first-hand clinical skills based on American clinical pharmacy practice and education. The training was individualised for IHPs’ interests including didactics and practical training. Sessions to discuss IHPs’ progress were conducted with the Dean and faculty of the programme.
IHPs had the chance to observe American pharmacy education and compare it to the Italian one. American university training was practical, well-coordinated with clinical activities, and based on a trustful teacher-student relationship. During practical training IHPs shadowed American Clinical Pharmacists (ACP) specialized in different areas: Infectious Disease, Cardiology, Oncology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Community Pharmacy, Ambulatory Care. They were able to observe how ACPs validate prescriptions and are actively engaged in direct patient care, participating in bedside multidisciplinary rounds and making recommendations on therapies (drug interactions, dose adjustments, antibiotic selection). IHPs saw how technology investments, prioritisation of care, and availability of skilled personnel underlie American hospital pharmacy practice.
IHPs gained baseline clinical pharmacy skills to enhance care at their facilities; however, the widespread implementation of clinical pharmacy in Italy requires education reform, enhanced resources and integration of pharmacists within a multidisciplinary team. Implementation of small projects through collaboration with universities should be considered in the Italian hospital setting.
Education and Research
Agnes Ann Feemster, Nicoletta Zallocco, Carlo Polidori
Development of pharmacy education on a global scale is an international initiative. Additionally, employers recognise that global experiences positively impact a variety of applicant qualities, including curiosity, willingness to take risks, a non- judgmental attitude, and a broader worldview. The goal of this collaboration is to expose students to the medication distribution system and role of the pharmacist in an international practice setting with an aim of developing a more well-rounded, culturally aware pharmacist.
A partnership between the University of Camerino (UNICAM), Camerino, Italy and the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), Baltimore, Maryland, USA was formed. Under the agreement, the two universities exchange student pharmacists for five-week internships in hospital pharmacy.
A memorandum of understanding was implemented between the two universities in May 2018 with the first UMSOP student visiting in September 2018. A professor from each university co-coordinates the internship. UMSOP students self-fund travel while UNICAM students self-fund and seek university support; funding is a barrier to pursuing the experience. Housing logistics for the students is also challenging. UMSOP students receive academic credit for the experience, requiring that the Italian site meet the advanced practice experience objectives.
The programme intended to exchange one-two students annually. After the inaugural student, eight UMSOP students pursued the UNICAM internship, resulting in six student placements at three Italian hospitals. One UNICAM student pursued a cardiology experience at an academic medical centre in Baltimore. UMSOP students perform a preceptor and site evaluation after the internship. 100% of students completed the evaluation with an overall evaluation score of strongly agree that the preceptor and site provided a positive experience. A structured interview with the UNICAM student indicated a greater understanding of clinical pharmacy practice and the role of a pharmacist on an interdisciplinary team, which may be used to further develop hospital pharmacy services in Italy.
This international exchange demonstrated a high degree of satisfaction among participants. While currently limited to students, this initiative should be considered for practising pharmacists. Sharing of best practices and the interchange of ideas may generate practice enhancements, lead to innovations, and stimulate personal growth.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Mathilde ROCHE, Niccolo CURATOLO, Marion ADLER, José POLO DEVOTO, André RIEUTORD
Many smoking patients are not identified as smokers when admitted at the hospital, depriving them of any help to quit smoking. During medication reconciliation at admission (MR), the pharmacist is in a position to identify smoking patients and then offer a support programme.
An integrated care model based on a smoking cessation programme was designed to assist smoking patients to quit tobacco. Pharmacy and addictology departments co-built and led the project. It was implemented and proposed to patients from May 2018 in three medical and surgical wards.
The project included five steps:
1. Training of one clinical pharmacist about smoking cessation by the addictology team.
2. Designing the process and developing tools used for a smoking cessation programme.
3. Implementing the programme.
4. Evaluating the pilot phase.
5. Developing a comprehensive training programme (including role-play sessions) for the pharmaceutical team.
The process counted six steps:
1. Smoking patients’ identification (MR, patient record, request from doctors). If the patient was polyaddicted, the addictology team was informed.
2. First patient visit: patient consent was collected, anamnesis related to tobacco and explanation about nicotine’s mechanisms and nicotine substitutes given. Appropriate nicotine substitutes were selected and tested with the patient.
3. Prescription and administration of nicotine substitutes.
4. Second patient visit (24 to 48 hours’ later): nicotine substitutes adjusted if needed.
5. Third patient visit if needed.
6. Discharge medication reconciliation.
During 4 months, 62 patients were identified as smokers during MR interviews. Twenty-seven per cent of the patients (n= 17) were sent to the addictology team because of polyaddiction, 39% (n=24) refused the programme and 34% (n=21) accepted to experience our support programme. Of these, 62% (n=13) either reduced or quit smoking during hospitalisation.
According to our encouraging preliminary results, this programme will continue to be carried on by the pharmaceutical team, while keeping a close link with the addictology team. We decided to call the patients one week and one month after discharge to better assess the performance of our smoking cessation programme.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Eliln Trapnes, Nina Carstens, Merethe Nilsen, Solveig Vist, Margareth Wiik, Janne Kutschera Sund
In 2012 all the regional hospital pharmacy trusts in Norway decided to implement the IMM-model as a national method for clinical pharmacy practice in hospital settings. Although an extensive amount of training and education has been provided locally and regionally, there was a lack of defined core competencies for clinical pharmacists in Norway. Furthermore, a complete post graduate education program for clinical pharmacists did not exist. Based on this, the managements of the regional hospital pharmacy trusts requested defined skills sets and identification of relevant educational needs and opportunities.
A joint national overview of core competencies for clinical pharmacists working in Norwegian hospitals has been compiled. Learning objectives have been defined for each of the steps in the Integrated Medicines Management (IMM)-model (Medication Reconciliation, Medication Review, Patient Counseling and Discharge Service). Relevant education opportunities were identified and recommendations on courses, practical training and other educational activities were described.
A group of six experienced clinical pharmacists representing all the hospital pharmacy trusts in Norway agreed upon core competencies needed to perform the main steps in the Integrated Medicines Management (IMM)-model (Medication Reconciliation, Medication Review, Patient Counseling and Discharge Service) in Norwegian hospitals. Existing education opportunities were compared to the defined learning objectives and a recommended time schedule for the training was made.
A national consensus on core competencies in clinical pharmacy services has been reached among all hospital pharmacies in Norway. The consensus, including the evaluation and recommendation of educational activities, makes it easier for leaders of clinical pharmacists to decide on which educational activities to prioritize, and for the Universities to know what educational areas they should cover.
The report with the identified core competencies will be adjusted according to local requirements and implemented in all Norwegian hospital pharmacies. Hopefully, our work will encourage further cooperation on educational activities between regions. An initiative has already started towards Norwegian Universities to try to integrate relevant competencies into the curricula of pharmacists, and this will continue.
