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
Christina Theil Schnor and Saranya Loganathan.
In 2018, hospitals in Region Zealand (RZ), Denmark, transitioned to the electronic health record (EHR) system, EPIC. Following this, hospital pharmacists faced repeated medication order challenges causing adverse events such as inappropriate medication orders, dispensing and administration errors, and insufficient workflow coordination. These issues resulted in complex, time-consuming workflows impacting quality and patient safety. Additionally, collaboration between corporate IT and clinical staff was challenged by a lack of understanding of practical issues. To address this, pharmacists of RZ established the Clinical Pharmaceutical Service IT Team (CPS IT Team) to build specialized knowledge of the EHR medication module, aiming to assure quality, optimize workflows, strengthen interdisciplinary coordination, and support safer and more efficient clinical use.
CPS IT Team standardized workflows, enhanced coordination of medication order tasks, and created a forum to effectively utilize professional knowledge and networks across areas.
To address diverse Clinical Pharmacy challenges, CPS IT Team became the bridge between internal organization (RZ Hospital Pharmacy and corporate IT) and external partners (EPIC and The Capital Region of Denmark (CRD)). For this reason, CPS IT Team was established with one team manager and two units: Internal and External unit. CPS IT Team continuously adapts to evolving Clinical Pharmacy needs.
The establishment of CPS IT Team has driven significant internal optimization and standardized workflows. Acting as a coordinating unit, it optimizes medication processes from ordering to dispensing and administration. Dialogue with IT has been strengthened, enabling more efficient, targeted communication across professional groups.
Collaboration with EPIC and CRD has enhanced quality assurance and optimized workflows. CPS IT Team efforts have helped prevent medication-related adverse events, improve workflows, and optimize medication processes. Interdisciplinary collaboration and professional consultation networks between regional clinics, hospital pharmacies, IT, and EPIC have been notably strengthened. These efforts have increased patient safety and fostered a safer, more coherent workflow in EPIC.
Fusion of RZ and CRD into Region Eastern Denmark will change CPS IT Team’s working conditions, opening new opportunities such as an expanded collegial network and broader range of tasks and needs. Systematic data use will support Hospital Pharmacy’s work, improving efficiency and quality in daily operations.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Aparicio Lucas L, Somoza Fernández B, Collados Arroyo V, Baselga Soto I, Mayo López C.
A Multidisciplinary Unit for Comprehensive Care of Complex Chronic Patients was implemented in our hospital to provide integrated, patient-centered care. The initiative established a structured process in which each patient is assessed during a single visit by a coordinated team involving Nursing, Pharmacy, and Internal Medicine.
Complex chronic patients often experience frailty, polypharmacy, and fragmented follow-up across multiple specialties, increasing the risk of adverse events, poor adherence, and reduced quality of life. Prior to the initiative, care was delivered through separate consultations with limited communication between professionals. As a result, patients frequently missed appointments due to travel difficulties, became confused by medication changes, or received inconsistent instructions.
The project aimed to enhance the quality and continuity of care, optimize pharmacotherapy, and reduce complications through a coordinated, multidisciplinary model that streamlined hospital visits and minimized unnecessary referrals.
The project was developed in four stages:
1. Planning meetings with Internal Medicine and Nursing to define objectives
2. Design of a standardized operations procedure and patient circuit
3. Pilot implementation
4. Measurement of outcomes.
Patients were referred to the unit based on predefined criteria (frailty, polypharmacy, multiple medical follow-ups). Obstacles such as limited staff availability and coordination between departments were addressed through regular team meetings to streamline workflow and ensure communication.
Since its implementation in March 25, 68 patients have been assessed, with 123 drug-related problems identified. Pharmacist interventions achieved a 79% acceptance rate (97/123). The model improved communication among professionals, enhanced medication safety, and optimized patient visits by avoiding unnecessary appointments.
Long-term evaluation of clinical and financial outcomes is ongoing. The standardized, collaborative approach makes this model easily transferable to other hospitals, adaptable to their resources and organization. It represents a sustainable example of good practice in multidisciplinary management of complex chronic patients.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
A Wagner, D Weixler, C Waidinger, M Josl
A pharmacist, integrated in the palliative care team, reviewed preselected patients with advanced disease to identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). When appropriate, a team of physicians deprescribed PIMs in accordance to patient preferences, clinical status and rationale. The initiative aimed to identify PIMs, reduce pill burden and align pharmacotherapy with individual treatment goals.
Up to 96% of geriatric oncological palliative care patients experience polypharmacy (>5 medications) (1), with up to 70% receiving at least one PIM referring to Lindsay J et al. (2).
Deprescribing is considered appropriate in certain clinical situations, including for example:
– presence of polypharmacy
– patient’s wish
– shift in treatment strategy or goals
– limited life expectancy
– when potential harm outweighs benefits
– Weekly interdisciplinary meetings
– Eligible patients were identified by the palliative care physicians based on prognosis, symptom burden, medication profile (polypharmacy), and patient wishes
– Pharmacist reviewed medications using medical records, identified potential deprescribing opportunities and provided tailored deprescribing recommendations (what and how to deprescribe)
– Recommendations were collaboratively discussed and documented
– If deprescribing was implemented, follow-up was conducted at the next patient visit and was subsequently monitored during regular consultations
During observation period, three patients (all male, median age 80) received a structure deprescribing review. A total of 59 drugs were targeted, 20 PIMs have been identified.
Commonly deprescribed medication groups were gastroprotective drugs (A02B), urological agents (G04B, G04C) antihypertensives (C02A, C09A, C08C, C03C) and vascular or miscellaneous agents (C05B, N06DX, N07A). Typical reason for discontinuation included stable blood pressure, presence of indwelling urinary catheter, patient-driven deprescribing request, therapeutic futility.
Other drug classes such as psychotropics (N06A, N04B), cognitive enhancers (N06D) and bone-metabolism agents (M05B, A12A) were occasionally discontinued when adverse drug effects outweighed potential benefit or did not align with palliative goals (long-term preventive therapy). Main drivers for deprescribing were patient wishes to reduce pill burden, complex symptom management and avoidance of adverse effects.
The initiative demonstrated feasibility, safety, and transferability of pharmacist-supported deprescribing as part of a multidisciplinary team. Next steps could include the development of interprofessional training sessions and expansion to other clinical settings.
Education and Research
Dr Sian Williams, Dr Ella Graham-Rowe, Dr Sarah Chapman and Prof John Weinman
Non-adherence contributes significantly to preventable harm and waste across health systems. Although pharmacy professionals are well placed to intervene, evidence suggests that current approaches are limited in effectiveness. The aim of this initiative was to provide multi-sector professionals with a shared framework and tools to support adherence, improving patient care and consistency across services.
A training programme was developed to improve pharmacy professionals’ confidence and capability in identifying and addressing medication non-adherence. The training was delivered to qualified pharmacists, foundation pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians across NHS Sussex, with a focus on practical skills and evidence-based behavioural change strategies.
The training, developed in collaboration between the University of Brighton and the Centre for Adherence Research and Education at King’s College London, consisted of three components. First, participants completed an online module introducing the causes, types, and consequences of non-adherence. This was followed by a four-hour interactive face-to-face workshop, where attendees were trained in the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour) model, the ‘Making Medicines Work for You’ screener, and five practical adherence support strategies based on evidence-based behaviour change techniques. A follow-up online session four weeks later allowed participants to reflect on applying the screener in practice and to share experiences. Cross-sector representation enabled peer learning and discussion of implementation in diverse settings.
The initial training reached 26 pharmacy professionals who completed pre- and post-surveys on confidence and practice in identifying and supporting adherence. Analysis showed improved perceived skills and access to tools. A follow-up session revealed early successes alongside barriers, including time pressures in busy settings and challenges embedding the tool into systems that support routine practice.
This initiative provides an evidence-based model for embedding adherence support into pharmacy practice. It is transferable across integrated care systems and healthcare settings. Future plans include ongoing evaluation and extending training to other clinical teams and policy decision-makers.
Education and Research
Ella Graham-Rowe, Sian Williams, Sarah Chapman and John Weinman
Non-adherence to prescribed medicines remains a global problem, associated with poor health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Despite pharmacists’ central role in addressing adherence, undergraduate education often lacks practical, evidence-based training. This initiative aimed to equip students early in their professional development with the skills and confidence to identify and support patients with adherence challenges.
A structured programme on medication adherence was developed and embedded into the second year of the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree at the University of Brighton. The training introduced students to an adherence screening tool, key behavioural frameworks, and practical support strategies, with opportunities to practise in simulated scenarios and while on placement.
Academic staff were first trained by the Centre for Adherence Research and Education (King’s College London) to deliver their structured programme. The training was then delivered to undergraduates over three two-hour face-to-face workshops. Workshop one explored types and causes of non-adherence using the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour) model. Workshop two introduced five evidence-based behaviour change strategies. Workshop three allowed students to apply these skills using the ‘Making Medicines Work for You’ screener in simulated consultations. Learning materials and scenarios were co-developed with practising pharmacits to reflect authentic pharmacy practice.
All second-year students completed the training in the 2024–2025 academic year and were assessed in end of year OSCEs. Feedback highlighted notable improvements in students’ consultation and communication skills, along with greater empathetic engagement with patients. Learners described the tools and exercises as engaging and supportive, boosting their confidence in supporting patient adherence.
This initiative demonstrates that evidence-based adherence training can be effectively integrated into the undergraduate pharmacy curriculum. The approach is transferable to other institutions and may improve medicines optimisation in future clinical practice. In 2025–2026, these students will apply their learning during practice placements across multiple sectors. Further evaluation will explore impact on student performance during placements.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
M.S. Nielsen, The Pharmacy of the capital region of Denmark, Clinical Pharmacy Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
S.L. Otnes; The Pharmacy of the capital region of Denmark, Clinical Pharmacy Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
M.H. Clemmensen, The Pharmacy of the capital region of Denmark, Clinical Pharmacy Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, 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
Paediatric medicine has limited availability of on-label, age-appropriate formulations. Drug-related challenges encompass variability in dosing, use of tube administration, and the necessity for child-friendly approaches, including formulation issues as well as taste and acceptability of medications.
A clinical assessment of the applicability of 3D-printed medicines from a paediatric perspective, with the limitations of the chosen technique.
The aim of this project was to identify specific areas where 3D-printed medicines provide viable solutions to the complexities surrounding paediatric drug-related challenges.
To minimize the need for individual medicine manipulation, we identified key challenges by reviewing the manufacturer’s API list and comparing it with nationally available compounded products. This analysis offered historical insight on the shortcomings of commercial products in addressing patient needs. Additionally, consultations were held with nurses and doctors in selected paediatric wards for further input.
Three key areas were identified where 3D-printed medicines could benefit paediatric wards:
Dosage: 3D-printed medicines enable patient-specific doses or customizable low doses, assisting dose tapering and minimizing dosing errors. However, for APIs with a wide therapeutic index, the dose should be aligned with commercially available products. Patients or APIs that frequently require dose adjustments are better suited to a mixture formulation.
Logistics: Individual packaging and room temperature storage offer advantages for travel and storage compared to liquid mixtures, which often require cold storage and are produced in larger, less flexible containers. Additionally, existing options like mixtures increases the risk of losing the entire dose supply at once.
Patient related inappropriate drug form: The 3D-printed tablets can be chewed or partially dissolved, facilitating administration for patients with swallowing difficulties. Additionally, it allows for customizable flavors, offering more flexibility than commercial products.
However, the technique does not yet address the need for medication administration via tubes, as it requires heating of the tablets, which can be hazardous when handled by untrained parents. Highlighting that 3D-printing should complement, rather than replace, existing options.
A prioritized and condensed list of APIs will be conducted based on the identified key areas and assessed by pharmacists, doctors, and nurses.
Appropriate wards will be selected for the pilot implementation of 3D-printed medicines.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
JR ROMA, A RIZO, N POLA, B LOPEZ, A GARCIA, E BRAGULAT, M SANCHEZ, D SOY
Several studies had been published claiming that the figure of a clinical pharmacist could improve the quality and safety of the medicines prescribed in the ED. However, little information has been published regarding its clinical impact when the pharmacist is physically present at the ED, which could enhance communication with clinicians and ED staff.
A clinical pharmacist was included into the multidisciplinary team of the Emergency Department (ED).
The pharmacist performs their duties on-site from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, joining the medical team located in the short stay unit (SSU) of the ED. The project was focused on validating and reconciling the medications of SSU patients who require short-term treatment, observation or reassessment of their initial ED treatment prior to discharge. Additional activities include logistical tasks, risk management and medication-related safety issues, with the identification of medication errors (MEs) during the pharmaceutical review. These errors are defined as any medication-related error, regardless of whether or not the patient experiences adverse effects.
During the first six months (December 2023–May 2024), 1904 clinical histories (patients) were reviewed (Mean day: 16 patients). MEs were found in 14.8% of the patients (282 patients), with a total of 338 MEs. Of these, 30.5% were reconciliation errors, 28.1% were overdosing errors, 15.1% were therapeutic duplicities and 8.9% were underdosing errors. Other identified MEs included: incorrect posology (3.8%), analytical value adjustments errors (3.0%), drug interactions (2.4%), incorrect duration (2.4%), adverse effects (2.1%), wrong administration route (1.8%), incorrect presentation (1.0%) and allergies (0.9%). The most common pharmacological class involved was antimicrobials (40.6%), followed by anticoagulants (13.2%), immunosuppressants (9.3%), and antihypertensives (7.8%).
Considering the overall satisfaction regarding the ED pharmacist figure in this setting, its work day in ED has been extended from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. More research is needed in order to clarify if the role of the ED pharmacist working on-site at the ED can improve healthcare outcomes.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
MC. SÁNCHEZ ARGAIZ, A. TRUJILLANO RUIZ, E. MÁRQUEZ FERNÁNDEZ, M. GALLEGO GALISTEO, E. CAMPOS DÁVILA
A multidisciplinary approach is essential for addressing chronic pain from multiple perspectives, ensuring that treatment is personalized and effective for each patient. This structure enables faster, more coordinated solutions for patients whose chronic pain is difficult to manage.
The Pain Management Unit(PMU) is a multidisciplinary team responsible for the comprehensive treatment and management of patients with chronic pain. The team includes: anesthesiologists, traumatologists, rehabilitation specialists, rheumatologists, internists, primary care physicians, and now a clinical pharmacist.
When a physician is unable to adequately manage a patient’s chronic non-oncologic pain, the patient is referred to the PMU. The unit holds weekly meetings to discuss cases and propose medical solutions, including interventional procedures such as injections or nerve blocks. The clinical pharmacist plays a key role in this process by reviewing the patient’s current analgesic therapy and chronic medications in advance, assessing their appropriateness, potential drug interactions, and considering alternative analgesic strategies. Additionally, the pharmacist provides recommendations on the temporary suspension of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy for patients scheduled for procedures. On a quarterly basis, the pharmacist also identifies patients with chronic non-oncologic pain who are prescribed high-dose opioids, facilitating a review by the treating physician to promote safer and more rational opioid use.
-Optimization of analgesic therapy: Through collaborative reviews with the team, analgesic treatments have been more precisely adjusted, reducing unnecessary opioid use and favoring safer, multimodal approaches.
-Prevention of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications: Timely recommendations on the suspension of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy before invasive procedures have minimized risks.
-Promotion of safe opioid use: The quarterly identification and review of patients on high-dose opioids has reduced the risk of overdose, dependence, and adverse effects, ensuring safer pain management.
The integration of the clinical pharmacist into the PMU has shown a clear positive impact on the safety and effectiveness of chronic pain treatments. Moving forward, it would be beneficial to evaluate, at six-month intervals, the interventions proposed by the pharmacist and accepted by the medical team. This evaluation would provide valuable insights into the long-term benefits of pharmacist involvement and help refine the collaborative approach to pain management.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Ina Vierø Rinder, IVR
Handling medication shortages in the hospital pharmacy are time-consuming, and a lot of resources are used to find alternatives. Though shortages are a national focus in Denmark, shortages are not a priority focus in the local hospital pharmacy. Shortages are often handled “on-the-go” locally and therefore not prioritized. The hospital pharmacy uses “Medication News”, posted on internal website, to broadcast information about long-term shortages to the hospitals. The aim was to determine the occurrence of shortages among commonly used medications at Copenhagen University Hospital, Amager and Hvidovre (AHH).
A top 100-list of most bought packages of individual chemical substances (ATC5-level) was generated. The purchase data were obtained from the hospital pharmacy at AHH for the period from October 2023 to September 2024.
The list was analyzed to determine how many medications had experienced shortage during the specified period. The analysis was conducted by reviewing past “Medication News”, historical e-mails regarding shortages, and the hospital pharmacy’s own record of shortages.
The top 100-list of most bought packages of individual chemical substances (ATC5-level) revealed a total of 1149 item numbers. The 500 item numbers in ATC-level V07AZ** (Chemicals and reagents for analysis) were excluded due to their use. Of the remaining 649 item numbers, 43 item numbers had experienced shortage during the specified period. Of the 43 item number shortages, 22 (51 %) had resulted in a “Medication News” on the internal website. The shortages were distributed in the ATC-levels A (16 %), B (9 %), C (5 %), D (2 %), H (9 %), J (12 %), L (5 %), M (7 %), N (30 %), R (2 %) and S (2 %).
The generated data of the top 100-list of used chemical substances has given rise to more attention on shortages in the hospital pharmacy. In the future it is assumed that the number of shortages will rise, and it should be possible to increase the attention of short-term shortages by using the obtained data e.g., integrate the data in a daily status meeting. Thereby the shortages can be handled as a priority and not “on-the-go”.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
V. Mureddu, G. Ledda, G. Adamu, M. Rivano, A. Cadeddu. Hospital Pharmacy Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Cagliari.
Mifepristone and misoprostol are provided for Voluntary Pregnancy Interruption (VPI) and Spontaneous Miscarriage (SM) according to different reimbursement schemes, based on different gestational age. According to Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC), the use of mifepristone and misoprostol is approved only within the first 63 days of pregnancy. Recently, access to treatment for VPI and SM has been extended by the Italian Medicines Agency by the I trimester of pregnancy. VPI within the first 49 days of gestation, the use of mifepristone and misoprostol is authorized according to SPCs. From 50th to 63th days is guaranteed under the law 649/96, that allows and reimburses the use of medicines for off-label indications. From 63th to 90th is considered an off-label prescription. Regarding SM, mifepristone and misoprostol can be used within the I trimester under the law 648/96. All these different reimbursement schemes are used as part of the Italian pricing-reimbursement system.
To ensure appropriateness, a specific prescription form has been drafted to support clinicians in prescribing according to the correct reimbursement scheme gestational age, therapeutic indication and dosage must be reported in the prescription form.
The development of the prescription form required a deep knowledge of both the law under which the right of abortion is guaranteed and Italian reimbursement schemes. The prescription form was introduced in October 2022.
Prescriptions of all pharmacological treatments are ordinarily made through electronic software; therefore the prescription form was uploaded. Prescriptions from 01/01/2024 to 30/06/2024 were collected and retrospectively analyzed.
Prescription forms analysis showed that a total of 83 women were treated. In 53 cases the treatment was used for VPI and in 30 for SM. In 27% of cases, prescriptions were considered as per in-label. In 66% cases, prescriptions were allowed according to Law 648/96. In 7% of cases, prescriptions were off-label.
According to the development of reimbursement schemes, the prescription form will be implemented. Italy provides universal coverage for all citizens and residents; keeping it sustainable is one of the hardest challenges of these day. The contribution of hospital pharmacists in monitoring prescriptions has a pivotal role in making equal access to these treatments.
