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.
APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE COMPARISON OF NEW DRUGS AND MEDICAL DEVICES
European Statement
Education and Research
Author(s)
Damuzzo V (1), Rivano M (2), Cancanelli L (3), Brunoro R (4), Gasperoni L (5), Ossato A (6), Colicchio A (7), Del Bono L (8), Di Spazio L (9), Celentano Fasano CN (10), Chiumente M (11), Mengato D (12), Messori A (13)
1) UOC Farmacia, AULSS2, P.O. di Vittorio Veneto
2) Hospital Pharmacy, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Cagliari
3) UOC Farmacia, AULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, P.O. di Castelfranco
4) School of Specialisation in Hospital Pharmacy, University of Milan, Milan
5) Oncological Pharmacy, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori, Meldola;
6) School of Specialisation in Hospital Pharmacy, University of Padua, Padua
7) Hospital Pharmacy, Azienda Unica Sanitaria Locale di Bologna (AUSL), Bologna
8) Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa
9) Hospital Pharmacy, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari (APSS);
10) Hospital Pharmacy, Azienda Ulss 3 Serenissima, Mirano,
11) Italian Society of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (SIFaCT), Milan
12) Hospial Pharmacy Unit – Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova
13) HTA Unit, Tuscany Region, Florence
Why was it done?
The clinical selection of available treatments and medical devices (MDs) is often hindered by the absence of direct efficacy comparisons between emerging therapies. This AI-tool aimed to address this challenge by employing advanced analytical techniques to facilitate informed decision-making in clinical settings.
What was done?
In 2016, the Italian Society for Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (SIFaCT) launched the AVVICINARE project with the goal of training young hospital pharmacists to develop innovation in research based on non-original, already published data. We recently approached the field of indirect comparisons, applying the artificial intelligence (AI) technique ‘IPDfromKM’ to extract individual patient data (IPD) from Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves, enabling the indirect comparison of emerging pharmacological treatments and MDs
How was it done?
Drugs and technologies with similar therapeutic roles and efficacy assessed by time-dependent endpoints (Overall Survival, Progression-Free Survival) were identified. KM curves from relevant clinical trials were digitized, and the IPDfromKM application was used to reconstruct the IPD. Data from different studies on the same treatments were pooled to enhance sample size, and standard statistical techniques (Cox regression, inter-treatment comparison) were employed, considering long-surviving patients (restricted mean survival time [RMST]). A heterogeneity analysis ensured comparability of patient cohorts.
What has been achieved?
Drugs and technologies with similar therapeutic roles and efficacy assessed by time-dependent endpoints (Overall Survival, Progression-Free Survival) were identified. KM curves from relevant clinical trials were digitized, and the IPDfromKM application was used to reconstruct the IPD. Data from different studies on the same treatments were pooled to enhance sample size, and standard statistical techniques (Cox regression, inter-treatment comparison) were employed, considering long-surviving patients (restricted mean survival time [RMST]). A heterogeneity analysis ensured comparability of patient cohorts.
What next?
Given the increasing value of indirect comparisons in both clinical and pharmacoeconomic contexts, ongoing efforts will focus on refining the analytical techniques and expanding training programs for hospital pharmacists. Future work will also explore additional therapeutic areas to broaden the impact of evidence-based medicine and enhance the role of hospital pharmacists in clinical decision-making.
The establishment of The Danish Hospital Pharmacy Research Network.
European Statement
Education and Research
Author(s)
Trine R. H. Andersen, Trine Graabæk, Ulla Hedegaard, Lene J. Kjeldsen, Charlotte Olesen, Hanne T. Plet, Anne B. Walls, The Danish Hospital Pharmacy Research Network (DanHoPR Network) On behalf of
Why was it done?
A decade ago, collaboration between Danish hospital pharmacies regarding knowledge sharing, information, procurement and development of services already existed. However, research activities were scarce, and peer reviewed publications were rare. While the Danish universities didn’t have hospital pharmacy as a research area, the research unit called SAFE had been formed under The Danish regions’ joint procurement and tendering organization, to encourage hospital pharmacies to increase research activities. Meanwhile, a handful of hospital pharmacists scattered throughout Denmark had been initiating PhD-projects, but with no formal cooperation or awareness of each other.
What was done?
A national network for researchers in hospital pharmacy was established 10 years ago to strengthen the research activities within hospital pharmacies in Denmark.
How was it done?
The network was established at a meeting in October 2011 gathering the five PhD-fellows, SAFE and potential researchers. The overall aim was to strengthen hospital pharmacy research in Denmark. The terms of reference included creating a forum where established as well as upcoming researchers can meet twice a year to share knowledge and provide feedback on each other’s research. To further strengthen the network and research, funding was raised for a fieldtrip to UK hospital pharmacy research groups. After this, the network decided to promote a more international profile. A LinkedIn site was established along with the design of a logo, an English translation, name and acronym (DanHoPR Network).
What has been achieved?
The DanHoPR Network now celebrates its 10th anniversary and counts more than 30 members from all Danish hospital pharmacies and from universities.
The amount of published research from Danish hospital pharmacies has increased considerably during the 10 years. In total, network members have first authored more than 35 articles, co-authored more than 70 publications, co-supervised more than 80 master theses and PhD-fellows have multiplied over the decade.
The DanHoPR network gather 2-3 times/year in full-day virtual or IRL meetings to collaborate on research, share ideas and discuss subjects such as methodology, interpretation of results, funding, challenges or celebrations.
What next?
The network seeks to collaborate internationally and hopes to inspire to similar networks across Europe or connect to exiting fellow networks.
INNOVATIVE PROCUREMENT
European Statement
Selection, Procurement and Distribution
Author(s)
Alison Anastasi, Karl Farrugia
Why was it done?
This was done as a tender was being issued also for medicines that still had a patency and had no competition and the prices quoted for were higher than other international external reference prices. Thereby a new pricing reimbursement system was undertaken and items procured were studied intensively before choosing the right procurement model. The main point was thinking outside the box inducing interest in international companies who were willing to support and assist the innovative local systems by participating in the new systems leading to improved access and better value for money.
What was done?
In September 2016, a workshop and strategy meeting was organised at WHO Denmark to discuss global procurement strategy and share country practices. Malta was one of the facilitators and invited speakers. In the past years tendering was the main system for procurement. However, on having a thorough understanding of medicines and non-pharmaceuticals, market strategy, and patency other processes have been studied and adopted. The models involve negotiations, pay per use systems, and pay per performance models.
How was it done?
This was done by setting multidisciplinary teams within the hospitals and by having good research methodology skills. This led to smoothing the gaps between the actual horizon scanning, health technology assessments and final choice of procurement strategy. International liaison, partnership with the industry, and relevant focus groups with annual seminars made this possible as mixed experts met and gave their best shot at this new system. The fact that no one size fits all made procurement more interesting and from one cycle to the other there is a learned curve that brings successful results.
What has been achieved?
Malta achieved better competition, uninterrupted sourcing, investments and stable pricing with continuous yearly reductions. From negotiations of patented medicines Malta saved approximately 1.5-2 Million Euro per year since 2013. With respect pay per use systems such as the total knee replacements Malta gave a capped price and ended up paying half of what is used to pay and companies managed to bid for the set price. In renal dialysis the cycle involved payment per patient service thereby reducing wastage, storage, and ordering of consumables and this will render a cost saving of 5Million Euro throughout cycle. The new processes launched for multiple sclerosis will dictate that whoever reaches the cheapest price ranking will be used to start the patients clinically and the pay per cure cycle for Hepatitis C will lead to savings and complete eradication in five years time.
What next?
Malta is one of 6 small EU Member States so besides its size and geography there are other elements were it triggers the procurement department to think of innovative ways to treat our patients and as yet remaining sustainable. There are other projects in the pipeline however, Malta is sharing its good practice with the industry, with the WHO and other international fora so that certain elements are taken on board as standardised systems for equality of service and treatment in all countries.