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.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Pons Maria, A; Fernández Huertas, L; Samblas Ruiz, M; Hernandez Silveira, L; Barceló Sansó, F; Juez Santamaria, C; Luque Mesa, JA
This case describes a 23-year-old patient admitted with acute kidney injury (AKIN III) of unknown origin. Due to poor clinical progression, along with symptoms of scalp itching and redness, and the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in urine, glyoxylic acid poisoning was suspected. Glyoxylic acid is a component found in certain hair straightening products. The potential use of fomepizole as an antidote was considered, prompting a pharmaceutical intervention.
A literature review was conducted on the use of fomepizole in poisonings caused by glyoxylic acid and ethylene glycol, considering that glyoxylic acid is an intermediate metabolite in the toxic pathway of ethylene glycol.
The mechanism of action of fomepizole was analyzed as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, assessing its ability to block the conversion of glyoxylic acid into toxic metabolites such as oxalic acid, which is responsible for renal damage. To evaluate the feasibility of using the antidote, the National Institute of Toxicology was consulted. After reviewing the case, and given that more than 72 hours had passed since exposure to the toxin, its administration was ruled out. Supportive treatment already initiated was continued, including fluid therapy, bicarbonate, thiamine, and pyridoxine. The patient showed progressive improvement in renal function without requiring dialysis.
The multidisciplinary approach enabled the identification of the toxic etiology and helped prevent major complications. The case highlighted the key role of the hospital pharmacist in the evaluation of antidotes.
Similar poisoning scenarios—both uncommon and typical—will be reviewed to establish well-defined clinical pathways that allow for rapid and coordinated action in case antidotes such as fomepizole need to be used. This review will help improve the preparedness of both pharmacy and clinical teams for toxicological situations not currently covered by existing protocols.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
E Biringer1,2, K Skaare-Fatland1, E Tverborgvik3
1Helse Fonna Local Health Trust, Haugesund, Norway, eva.biringer@helse-fonna.no
2Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Stord, Norway
3Sjukehusapoteka Vest HF, Stord, Norway
Why was it done?
The aim was to reduce the risk of medication errors arising during the registration and reconciliation of patients’ medication lists in the electronic charting system MEONA (Mesalvo GmbH, Freiburg, Germany) at patient admission. Prior to the intervention, medication errors were frequent, most likely due to limited MEONA proficiency among newly employed staff and a complex procedure for importing information about patients’ current medications from multiple sources, i.e. the electronic patient records, the Summary Care Record («Kjernejournal») and the Prescription Intermediary («Reseptformidleren»). The initiative was made in 2022 in a mental health hospital in Norway.
What was done?
A concise pocket guide was developed for use by health personnel responsible for the registration and reconciliation of medication lists at the acute mental health ward.
The process of registration and reconciliation of medication lists was standardised and visually illustrated by simplified step-by-step illustrations of the user-interfaces of MEONA. The illustrations were included in a two-page pocket-sized brochure along with illustrations pertaining to electronic registrations of patient information in the electronic patient administrative- and laboratory systems. The hospital pharmacist advised the development of the brochure. The communications department of the health trust created the illustrations and lay-out of the brochure.
A qualitative evaluation was conducted based on feedback from end-users of the brochure, i.e. the physicians regularly performing medication-related operations in MEONA. They all reported a reduction in erroneous registrations and less time spent on hazzles related to medication reconciliation after the pocket guide was implemented. A newly employed junior doctor stated:
“I think the brochure is excellent! I would have had significantly more trouble during my shifts if I hadn’t had this little guide with me.”
This simple intervention likely contributed to reducing the risk of medication-related errors in the mental health hospital. Hospital pharmacists could develop similar brochures in other hospitals with electronic charting systems subject to user errors. The efficiency of such pocket guides in terms of reducing erroneous registrations and time spent on registrations should be measured prior to and after their introduction.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
D. AUDEGEAN, C. HAMELIN, C. CONTENT, C-H. BLANCHER
The care of patients receiving home hospitalization is complex. These patients experience multiple transitions throughout the care process and are treated by many health professionals, both in hospitals and private practitioners. This increases the risk of losing important information.
To improve safe medication management and make treatment delivery more efficient, new clinical pharmacy activities were implemented.
A medication review and a pharmaceutical consultation were added to pre-admission visits. Unintended discrepancies in patients’ treatment lists and the corresponding pharmaceutical interventions were identified and analysed. A French program, Patient Self-Administration of Medications, to support patients in managing their own medications was introduced following an initial assessment of autonomy by a clinical pharmacist. Information collected during these pharmacy activities was shared with community healthcare providers. The satisfaction of the home hospitalization medical team was also assessed.
Over six months, 41% (n = 34) of patients admitted to home hospitalization from our hospital received the new pharmacy service. A total of 38 medication reviews were done. At least one unintended discrepancy was found in 55% (n = 21) of these reviews. The most frequent problem was unintentional treatment omission. In total, 39 pharmaceutical interventions were made. Their clinical value was rated as “moderate” in 69% (n = 27) of cases. Most patients (47.5%) had an autonomy score of 0. Liaison letters were sent to community healthcare providers using secure messaging. All physicians (100%, n = 4) said they were “completely satisfied” with the new clinical pharmacy activities.
These new clinical pharmacy services helped ensure the safe use of medications in home care patients. Sharing information with community providers improved the link between hospital and community care and supported continuous medication management. However, current staffing levels do not allow all patients to benefit. Involving pharmacy technicians in medication reconciliation may help increase the number of reviews performed. The unanimous satisfaction of the medical team supports continuing these activities in the home hospitalization service.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Vanusa Barbosa Pinto, Andréa Cássia Pereira Sforsin, Cleuber Esteves Chaves, Carolina Broco Manin, Priscila Faria França, Amanda Magalhaes Vilas Boas Cambiais, Carolina Ferreira Dos Santos, Lidiane Baltieri Gomes, Priscilla Alves Rocha, Maria Cleusa Martins
The Pharmacy Division of a large tertiary hospital implemented structured risk governance, anchored by a risk matrix integrated into strategic planning and monitored by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The primary goal was to reduce risks across the entire medication use process—from selection to administration—using the matrix to guide continuous improvement cycles (PDCA) and ensure proactive, predictive risk management.
Tertiary hospitals with complex medication processes often face a high incidence of adverse events and waste due to fragmented risk management. The aim was to proactively mitigate risks classified as high and extreme, not only enhancing medication safety but also improving efficiency and operational response time. The initiative also sought to strengthen the internal safety culture by encouraging increased near-miss reporting.
The project involved an end-to-end mapping of pharmaceutical care in 2024, with risk scoring (probability x consequence). Critical KPIs were defined: service level, prescription evaluation rate, adverse event reports for compounded products, and near-miss reports. Results were reviewed in multi-professional committees to guide PDCA improvement cycles. One specific action plan involved implementing Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) in medication distribution to enhance traceability.
Between 2024 and 2025, the absolute number of risks classified as extreme decreased, and five risks reduced their criticality. The intervention demonstrated objective gains: service level increased from 77.82% to 84.40%; adverse event reports for compounded products decreased from 11 to 6; and the average monthly near-miss reports increased from 34 to 44, strengthening the safety culture. Notably, the PDA implementation contributed to the medication traceability rate increasing from 12.5% to 50.2%.
This governance model, focused on risk mitigation through PDCA cycles and critical KPIs, proved to be a practical and effective strategy for achieving sustainable gains in medication safety and efficiency. The practice is highly transferable and scalable, reinforcing the strategic role of the hospital pharmacy in integrating planning, quality, and technological innovation, and serving as a benchmark for other high-complexity institutions.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
S. CHIKHI, A. DIALLO, X. DEVIOT
Ready-to-use neonatal parenteral nutrition admixtures (RTUs) are indicated for preterm infants when enteral or oral nutrition is either impossible or insufficient. To meet patients\’ specific nutritional needs, some RTUs must be supplemented with vitamins, trace elements or electrolytes. Considering the microbiological contamination risk associated with supplementation procedures, the French National Health Authority (HAS) stated that supplemented RTUs are safer when prepared by the pharmacy, in controlled atmosphere areas, rather than in healthcare services. It also recommended no more than three supplementations.
To centralise RTUs supplementation within our parenteral nutrition unit, we carried out a retrospective analysis of prescriptions from 2023 and 2024 to evaluate their compliance with HAS recommendations.
Prescriptions were extracted from the prescription support software (Logipren). For each prescription, the number of supplements was noted, and the quantities added were evaluated against the maximum limits indicated in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SMPC).
A total of 1,073 prescriptions for 5 different RTUs were recorded. 91% (979) of prescriptions contained less than 3 additives. 9% (94) of prescriptions contained more than 3 supplements. 97% (91) of these prescriptions were for Numeta.
Regarding the compliance of added quantities, 7 prescriptions had a sodium level exceeding the authorized limit and 91 prescriptions involved supplementation with small volumes of zinc, despite the insufficient information on the feasibility of adding it.
To reduce the risk of infection and preparation errors, according to HAS recommendations, supplementation of RTUs with fewer than 3 additives, previously done in the neonatal care unit, is now performed in the pharmacy. Meanwhile, we suggested that physicians prioritize the prescription of individualized parenteral nutrition over supplemented Numeta when more than 3 supplements are required.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
L. Čermanová, V. Slezáková, J. Babiaková, D. Fábiánová, S. Porubcová
Phlebitis is one of the most common complications of infusion therapy. Intravenous drugs with extreme pH values (9) may chemically irritate or damage the venous endothelium, triggering an inflammatory response. Understanding the pH of intravenous anti-infectives is essential for clinical decision-making to prevent infusion-related complications.
The aim of this work was to determine the pH values of selected intravenous anti-infectives administered at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Bratislava (NÚSCH, a. s.) due to their potential to cause endothelial damage.
A literature review was performed to collect available data on the pH of reconstituted and diluted anti-infectives used at NÚSCH, a. s. Sources included Summaries of Product Characteristics, ASHP Injectable Drug Information®, pharmaceutical recommendations of Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, and relevant scientific publications.
The criteria used to select anti-infectives for pH analysis were a complete lack or insufficient information on the drug’s pH, reported pH values approaching the extreme thresholds of 5 or 9, and excessively wide pH ranges exceeding these limits.
Subsequently, the pH of 21 selected drugs was measured at 37 commonly administered concentrations (including ready-to-use formulations) using a glass-electrode pH meter (XS pH 7 Vio portable pH meter; electrode CHS ChemFlex). The diluents used were 0.9% sodium chloride solution, 5% glucose solution, and water for injection.
A table summarising selected anti-infectives at commonly administered concentrations, along with their mean pH values (± standard deviation) was compiled. Dilution volumes used in clinical settings with either 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose solution for extremely acidic or alkaline medications did not appear to significantly modify pH in a way that would affect vascular access choice.
The pH values enable the identification of anti-infectives with a higher potential risk of phlebitis and support the selection of the most appropriate vascular access device.
The results will be applied in developing institutional recommendations for the dilution and administration of anti-infectives, supporting safer infusion practices and the prevention of chemically induced phlebitis across NÚSCH, a. s. wards. They will also inform staff training and may contribute to the reduction of medication errors.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
VB Pinto, CSA Souza, NL Mizutani, RP Santos, MA Dias, ACP Sforsin
The unification of two outpatient prescription platforms into a single, institutional electronic system was carried out. The initiative was led by a multidisciplinary team (pharmacists, physicians, and systems analysts) from a public, tertiary care hospital.
Despite the high rate of electronic prescribing (92%), the coexistence of the two systems generated data fragmentation, rework, and exposed patients to unnecessary risks of transcription errors. The central objective was, therefore, to unify the process to universalize the use of electronic prescribing and, consequently, reduce transcription errors, strengthening patient safety and pharmaceutical care.
The intervention took place between July and September 2025. Actions included the technical integration of the systems into a single platform, the development of new standardized prescribing protocols, and training for prescribers. The impact was evaluated by monitoring the electronic prescribing coverage percentages and transcription errors rates at the outpatient level before and after implementation.
The integration demonstrated fast and significant results. Electronic prescription coverage increased from 92% to 98% in just one month after unification. In parallel, there was a progressive and sharp reduction in transcription errors: from 8.5% (pre-implementation) in July to 2.7% in September (after integration), representing a 68% decrease in the manual correction rate.
This initiative demonstrates the importance of technological unification for the advancement of Hospital Pharmacy. The model is highly replicable for other institutions dealing with fragmented electronic prescribing systems. The integration of systems has a direct and measurable impact on patient safety, establishing universal electronic prescribing as an efficient care standard and proof against transcription errors.
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
Sandra Oliver, Chief Clinical Information Officer, Pharmacy and Medicines.
Chris Green, Director of Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation
We describe how our hospital experienced a cyber-attack which resulted in the electronic patient record and other systems being taken offline, including our electronic prescribing system.
We describe our response to the cyber-attack and the considerations necessary to replace an entire hospital’s electronic prescribing system with paper. We also describe the co-dependencies with other previously electronic departments and systems, and communications with partner organisations.
The conversion from electronic to paper prescribing was led by the pharmacy team. Initially, this was via a printed downtime solution from the electronic prescribing system, which then required transcription to a paper prescribing chart. This generated a number of logistic, practical and safety issues which were managed by the pharmacy team. We then describe how the hospital was converted back to electronic prescribing over the course of one day, and how the pharmacy team was pivotal to that.
We were able to successfully take our hospital off electronic prescribing and initiate a paper-based downtime solution that ran over several days, and then return the hospital to electronic prescribing. Recovery efforts involved pairing prescribers with pharmacists across wards, establishing a pharmacy command centre, coordinating medication administration on ePMA, and communicating service updates across the Trust. Third-party services were reinstated, and recovery was prioritised by acuity, with the least acute wards addressed first. During the downtime period, we actively encouraged the pharmacy team to log patient safety concerns, or ideas to improve the downtime process which were reviewed and acted on in real time and as part of the post-recovery review.
We have learned several valuable lessons from the downtime experience which we have taken forward as part of our revised business continuity plan. This includes a review of specialist prescribing situations for example insulin, how we contact and work with partner organisations, the robustness of our downtime printer setup, and training material for clinical staff who at the time of the cyber-attack, had never used a paper based prescribing system. This case study serves as a valuable resource for healthcare organisations seeking to strengthen their cybersecurity and business continuity strategies.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Natalie Kuchik PharmD, MS, BCSCP and Jacalyn Rogers PharmD, MS, BCPS, CPEL, FASHP
Pediatric chemotherapy compounding requires exceptional precision and strict adherence to USP and standards due to the high-risk nature of the medications and vulnerable patient population. Traditional manual compounding workflows are prone to human error and operational inefficiencies, especially in busy hospital settings. To address these challenges, IV workflow technology was implemented to enhance patient safety, improve compliance, and streamline pharmacy operations.
An IV workflow technology system was introduced in a pediatric hospital pharmacy to support chemotherapy compounding. The system included barcode scanning for drug and diluent verification, image capture of each preparation step, and remote pharmacist verification. This allowed pharmacists to review compounding steps in real time without being physically present in the cleanroom, improving both safety and workflow efficiency.
The implementation was carried out prospectively, with pharmacists transitioning to remote in-line verification using the IV workflow platform. The system flagged incorrect drug or diluent scans and captured images of each preparation step for pharmacist review. This setup enabled pharmacists to detect and intervene in real time when errors occurred, such as incorrect labeling or volume discrepancies. Data were collected on scan alerts, image-based interventions, and workflow metrics, including preparation throughput and pharmacist time allocation.
The technology successfully identified all instances of incorrect drug and diluent selections before finalization, significantly reducing the risk of medication errors. Image review further enhanced error detection, particularly for labeling and preparation accuracy. Removing pharmacists from the cleanroom improved workflow flexibility and reduced interruptions, resulting in a 25% increase in preparation throughput. Compliance with USP and standards improved due to automated documentation and verification processes.
Future steps include expanding the use of IV workflow technology to other high-risk compounding areas and evaluating its impact on broader pharmacy operations. Additional enhancements may include integrating the system with electronic health records and exploring further automation to support scalability. Continued monitoring of safety, compliance, and efficiency metrics will guide optimization and inform best practices for pediatric and adult oncology settings.
