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.
Education and Research
Cotrina Luque Jesús, Madeira Joana, Simões Joana, Rodrigues Leonor, Capoulas Miriam, Santos Cláudia.
A European Association of Hospital Pharmacists study revealed that over 80% of Portuguese pharmacists lack adequate clinical research competencies. Despite Portuguese Law n.º 21/2014 establishing frameworks for pharmacist involvement in clinical research, significant capability gaps persist, limiting contributions to evidence-based pharmaceutical care and scientific advancement.
An Integrated Research, Development and Innovation Unit was created and implemented in Hospital Pharmaceutical Services in 2021 to enhance pharmacists’ research performance. The unit’s mission combines high-level clinical research and training with quality basic research to achieve effective transfer of scientific results, improving pharmaceutical care. Four strategic pillars were established: effective and safe pharmacotherapy, patient satisfaction, advancement of technical-scientific knowledge, and representing excellence in the pharmaceutical sector. Four research areas were identified: medical specialties and infection control, surgical specialties and intensive care, paediatric specialties and pharmacy compounding, and transversal innovation areas including pharmacogenomics.
A comparative pre-post implementation study was conducted, comparing periods January 2019-December 2020 (pre-implementation) with January 2021-December 2024 (post-implementation). Variables collected included active research projects with pharmacists as Principal Investigators (PI), publications, scientific communications, awards, and committee participation.
The unit operated with one non-exclusive coordinator and each collaborator dedicating two days monthly. Activities included monthly scientific meetings, dynamic scheduling of scientific events, project submission support, scientific writing assistance, funding opportunity protocols, and knowledge transfer initiatives. By December 2024, active research projects increased from zero to twentyone (including three multicentric international projects). Publications raised from zero to nine articles: four non-indexed, two indexed in SciELO, one in PubMed, and two in PubMed with JCR Impact Factor. Scientific communications reached thirty presentations (six oral, twentyfour posters) at national and international congresses. The unit achieved five expert designations by Clinical Investigation Commission. Four awards were received.
Future includes expanding collaborative networks with universities, pharmaceutical industry, and international research centres, pursuing additional funding opportunities, and further developing translational research focused on patient outcomes. This innovative model, being the first integrated R&D&I unit in Portuguese Hospital Pharmaceutical Services, demonstrates successful enhancement of research capabilities with minimal resources. The framework is replicable across national hospital pharmaceutical services, providing sustainable improvements in scientific productivity and professional development.
Education and Research
O’Boyle, N; Currie, P; O’Hare, R; McCrory, R; Leonard, N; Kirk, S.
Undergraduate curricula across a number of healthcare professions have increased their focus on interprofessional education. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of an interprofessional education programme on student self-reported interprofessional collaboration as well as how the interprofessional education programme supported their clinical skills development.
We developed a full-day interprofessional education programme focused on medical admissions, incorporating role exchange to improve history taking and prescribing skills in medical student and pharmacy student groups.
In the first session, interprofessional pairs of medical and pharmacy students completed four simulation-based case scenarios. Followed by a second session of collaborative working with real patients on the hospital wards. A post programme questionnaire was completed by participants. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the student overall experience and skill development, and thematic analysis was used to evaluate student free text comments.
The questionnaire response rate was 88% (n=22) for medicine and 91% (n=31) for pharmacy. The mean score for the overall student impression of the programme was 4.75 out of 5. 94% (n=50) of students reported that the simulation activities improved their confidence in completing the in-situ activities with real patients. 96% (n=51) of respondents reported that they will be able to use the skills and knowledge gained within the programme in their future career as a registered healthcare professional.
Thematic analysis of the benefits of the programme identified five themes: interprofessional collaboration, professional identity, social and academic congruence, development of a holistic practitioner and simulation to prepare for clinical practice. Student suggestions for future development identified four themes: improved organisation, increased academic alignment, expanded opportunities for interprofessional education and developing more authentic clinical experiences.
There is evidence that simulation will be a core component in undergraduate interprofessional education efforts to address learning needs across both disciplines as it provides the opportunity to create scenarios with collaborative learning outcomes in a controlled environment. This study has highlighted how simulation can further be utilised to develop rapport and understanding within interprofessional student cohorts before in-situ experiential learning.
Education and Research
J. MORISOT(1), C. CHASTANG-CHUNG(1), C. GELLIS(1), R. LARNAUDIE(1)
(1) Pharmacie à Usage Intérieur, Centre Hospitalier Dubois, 1 boulevard du Dr Verlhac, 19100 Brive-la-Gaillarde, France.
Serious Advert Events (SAE) related to medication account for 32,9 % of SAEs associated with healthcare in France, 51,2 % of which are considered preventable. Nurses are the last line of defence before treatments are administered to patients. Therefore, Educational Training Programmes (ETPs) for healthcare workers are vital to improve patient safety and global quality of care.
The main objective was to create and implement training workshops for nurses led by a hospital pharmacist. The secondary objectives were to measure short-term impact on knowledge and global satisfaction.
The creation of the PTDs took place in three stages. First, we conducted a survey of nurses to select 3 subjects which would become the main themes for our ETP. Then we imagined and constructed the workshops (one for each theme), in the form of pedagogical games. Finally, we organised and led the training sessions. We also created pre- and post-training questionnaires to measure short-term knowledge evolution and global satisfaction.
Three workshops have been built up according to the survey’s results: one on high-risk medicines (HRM), one on blood-derived medicines (BDM) and one on medical gases (MG). We developed the HRM workshop based on the ‘PUIzzle’ tool, an educational question-answer game designed by l’Hôpital d’Instruction des Armées de Bégin. The BDM workshop was a crossword puzzle with ‘clue cards’ to guess each word of interest. The MG workshop was an interactive presentation with WOOCLAP quizzes and demonstrations. Those last two ones were homemade. In the end, twenty identical PTDs were held in 2024, training 200 nurses from all wards (out of 600). All sessions were led by the same pharmacist. Short-term knowledge significantly improved (gaining an average 2,9 points out of 20 from pre- to post-training) and global satisfaction was high.
Following this success, the PDTs returned in 2025, training 115 additional nurses. We wish to renew the PTDs in 2026 by adding new themes. To do so while optimising time and resources, we are currently discussing with other neighbouring hospitals to share ETPs. And why not creating a local ‘mobile ETP team’ that could train nurses all across the area?
Education and Research
Gine Stobberup, Clinical pharmacist, Odense University Hospital
Mikala Vasehus Holck, Senior Medical Advisor, MSc. Pharm. Consultancy and Negotiation
The Danish Medicines Council’s (DMC) assesses new medicines and issues recommendations based on evidence. Expert committees primarily composed of medical specialists play a key role in this process.
Pharmacists are the sole representatives of their profession in these committees, yet they represent all hospital pharmacies in Denmark. Their role is to advise on pharmaceutical aspects, including alignment with clinical guidelines, EU tenders, and practical implementation.
To support this responsibility a national pharmacist network was established in 2020.
A national network for hospital pharmacists engaged in the DMC expert committees was established. The network unites pharmacists across Denmark to strengthen competencies, ensure consistent, high-quality contributions across expert committees and provide a platform for mutual support.
The network equips pharmacists to meet the expectations of the DMC expert committees through competence development, role clarification, and harmonisation of contributions across regions.
The network meets twice a year for training, case-based discussions, and exercises that strengthen pharmacists’ ability to articulate pharmaceutical perspectives, address implementation challenges and translate expertise into committee work. Between meetings, the network functions as a consultation forum enabling members to share experiences and seek advice on complex issues.
Through this structure, pharmacists are equipped to deliver on their role: contributing expert knowledge on medicine handling, clinical use, alignment with guidelines and EU tenders, and supporting safe and practical national implementation.
The network has enhanced pharmacists’ visibility and influence within expert committees. Contributions are now more consistent and recognised as essential for safe, cost-effective and practical implementation of DMC recommendations. Feedback from the DMC indicates that pharmacists have become more active and confident participants.
Pharmacists in the network report improved understanding of DMC processes, strengthened professional identity and a secure environment for knowledge sharing and mutual support.
This initiative demonstrates how a small professional group can amplify its voice in national decision-making through structured collaboration. The model offers a scalable approach for other healthcare systems where specialised expertise is underrepresented but critical for informed decisions.
Education and Research
Kristin Michaels
Assoc. Professor Tom Simpson
Technician roles in Australia and New Zealand have evolved unevenly, with variation in scope, titles and training that limits workforce mobility and standardisation. A unified, contemporary Competency Framework was needed to underpin education, role design and safe delegation, and to support service expansion and workforce sustainability.
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha), with the New Zealand Hospital Pharmacy Association (NZHPA), developed and launched the AdPha Australian and New Zealand Technician Competency Standards—a single, bi-national framework defining the capabilities of pharmacy technicians across hospital and community settings. The Standards were formally launched on 21 October 2025 (National Pharmacy Technicians & Assistants Day), officiated by Tasmania’s Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, the Hon. Bridget Archer MP.
AdPha convened a trans-Tasman working group of Technicians and Pharmacists from hospital and community sectors. Iterative drafting drew on international exemplars and local practice analysis, followed by open consultations (Australia: 15 Oct–29 Nov 2024; New Zealand: 21 Jul–15 Aug 2025). Feedback was incorporated to ensure relevance across settings and to articulate progressive competency levels mapped to education and supervision requirements.
The resulting Competency Standards offer a common language for capability and progression for Technicians, enabling:
• consistent role descriptions and delegation in hospital pharmacy services;
• alignment of training providers and workplace assessment;
• clearer career pathways linked to recognition programmes; and
• a platform for cross-jurisdictional workforce planning.
Public release and sector endorsement have created a focal point for implementation across Australian states and New Zealand health services (Standards overview and consultation record publicly available).
Following launch of the Competency Standards, implementation activities include contextualised role profiles for hospitals, mapping to accredited training and micro-credentials, establishment of recognition pathways within the Australian and New Zealand College of Advanced Pharmacy (ANZCAP) supervisor guides for workplace assessment, and evaluation of uptake and impact (eg, standardised induction time, error reduction in technical tasks, retention/progression metrics). The framework is readily transferable to other health systems seeking to formalise technician practice and education through a competency-based approach anchored in patient safety and quality.
Education and Research
F.T. van Gosliga, C. Korteweg, M.E. Jongsma
In 2020 it was estimated that in the Netherlands at least 190 tons of drug residues end up in surface water every year, despite purification by sewage treatment plants, expected to rise even further. These drug residues can adversely affect aquatic ecosystems, for example by contributing to antibiotic resistance or by causing hormonal changes in fish.
The aim of this study was to assess the potential of a medication filter at source to prevent drug residues from entering the sewage system by measuring the percentage of drug removal. A secondary objective was to determine the filter’s operational lifetime.
In this explorative study a medication filter (MediCatch Zereau) was installed at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Frisius MC to prevent drug residues from entering the sewage system.
The ICU was selected because of the high use of intravenous medication and the fact that urine is often already collected via catheter. Urine from ICU patients was filtered by disposing of the catheter contents through the filter. A total of 14 samples were taken on seven days over a 52-day period from the reservoir before the filter (influent) and after the filter (effluent). Drugs were identified using LC-MS analysis (ToxTyper®). Removal efficiency was determined by comparing drug signals (counts) in the influent and effluent.
82% (n=51) of all drugs and metabolites (n=62) had a removal percentage above 90% across all sample days, of which 92% (n=47) were removed completely (100%). Among drugs detected on at least five different sampling days, 61% showed a removal rate of 100%. For three drugs a higher signal was found in the effluent than in the influent on at least one sample day. At 38 days after filter placement the overall removal percentage dropped below 90% (to 89%), and after 52 days it was 79%.
A medication filter at source can be used to reduce the entry of drug residues into the sewage system and ultimately surface waters, thereby potentially easing the burden on sewage treatment plants. Further research is needed to determine the context in which filtration at source provides the greatest added value.
Education and Research
García-Peláez, M.; Sosa-Pons, A.; Seguí Solanes, C.; Borras Trias, L.; Planas Giner, A.; Fernández-Navarro, A.; Rodríguez Rubio, M.; Rudi Sola, N.
The increasing pace of technological innovation and the introduction of new drugs require rapid adaptation. In our service, defined roles and strong teamwork ensure quality care. Understanding the scope and relevance of colleagues’ work fosters engagement, collaboration, and a sense of belonging within the team. The course aimed to strengthen these elements while improving professional knowledge
A continuous training course was implemented in the Pharmacy Department, aimed at pharmacy technicians and dispensing assistants. The programme provided updates on pharmacotherapy, new technologies, and recently implemented workflows, delivered by both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians/ assistants from the same service
The first edition took place from February to June 2025, consisting of five 20-minute monthly sessions, each repeated twice to maximise participation. Topics were presented by staff members directly involved in their implementation. Surveys were conducted among participants and trainers to assess satisfaction, perceived knowledge improvement, and interest in future editions. Additionally, a needs assessment survey identified subjects of greatest interest for upcoming sessions.
High attendance rates and positive feedback were obtained. Most participants reported increased understanding of new pharmacotherapy, technologies, and workflows, as well as greater appreciation of colleagues’ roles. The initiative improved internal communication and team cohesion.
Based on participant feedback, the second edition is scheduled from September 2025 to May 2026, expanding to eight sessions and incorporating topics requested by pharmacy technicians and dispensing assistants.
Education and Research
Claire May, Connor Thompson-Poole, Sam Ingram, Mairead O’Malley, Fahmida Ali, Michael Hopling
The initiative aligned with NHS policy priorities to expand the prescribing workforce in primary care. Drawing on Health Education England’s research into ‘prescriber readiness,’ it introduced targeted learning interventions to bridge the gap between academic preparation and clinical practice. The focus was on equipping students with the skills and confidence to contribute meaningfully to prescribing decisions, while embedding practical, patient-focused learning that supports prescribing competence and helps reduce the perceived burden on placement providers.
University of Brighton and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust co-developed a two-week pilot hospital placement to integrate student pharmacists into clinical teams. Embedded within a four-week experiential block, the placement aimed to meet prescribing-related outcomes at the required proficiency level outlined in the professional regulator’s Initial Education and Training (IET) Standards for Pharmacists, with a focus on patient-centred care and prescribing competence.
A two-pronged approach prepared students for placement through two weeks of simulation-based workshops focused on prescribing and clinical communication skills. This was complemented by hospital placements guided by a structured logbook, which included tasks such as patient histories, discharge planning, and clinical observations. Activities aligned with Supervised Learning Events (SLEs), including the Medicines Related Consultation Framework (MRCF), enabling students to demonstrate prescribing competencies in practice. The logbook also supported reflection, peer discussion, and multi-source feedback. Together, simulation and placement formed a cohesive framework for meeting IET standards and fostering prescribing readiness. Stakeholder engagement focused on risk-assessing activities and aligning them with Entrustable Professional Activities to ensure relevance and safety.
Module evaluation and assessment outcomes showed increased student confidence in clinical communication, medicines optimisation, and prescribing decisions. Students gained clearer insight into their role within multidisciplinary teams, while supervisors reported greater engagement and contributions to patient care. These insights informed the evolution of the experiential learning strategy and shaped future prescribing-focused educational interventions.
This initiative exemplifies good practice by bridging academic theory with clinical application. Its co-creation model, alignment with national standards, and emphasis on simulation-based learning make it highly transferable. Future developments will explore we can embed student pharmacists more into the clinical teams to support the workforce transformation across healthcare systems.
Education and Research
Mengato D, Cancanelli L, Colicchio A, Crivellaro G, Lombardi N, Torni F
Clinical pharmacy in Italy is not officially institutionalised yet and education about it across Italian residency programmes is heterogeneous, with limited opportunities for structured, practice-oriented learning. To address this gap, the contest was introduced in 2023 to foster harmonisation and enhance residents’ practical competencies. The main goal was to engage future clinical pharmacists in a stimulating, competitive environment that reflects real-life decision making, encourages collaboration, and supports the development of a shared professional identity.
A national Clinical Pharmacy Contest was designed and implemented by the Italian Society of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (SIFaCT) to promote standardised, competency-based education among Italian residents. The initiative uses a gamified, case-based learning model to develop clinical reasoning, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in real-world therapeutic contexts.
Residents from Hospital Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology schools across Italy competed in teams of four. The contest included three phases. Preliminary phase: submission of a medication review based on a simulated clinical case; Quarter-finals: online Jeopardy-style quiz; Semi-finals and final: structured quizzes and guided clinical case discussions, evaluated by expert panels during the SIFaCT National Congress. Organisational challenges such as ensuring fair participation and developing standardised evaluation tools were addressed by establishing a dedicated multidisciplinary committee.
Across three editions, 30 teams (120 residents) participated, with 48 finalists attending live sessions. A pilot survey from 40 respondents showed high satisfaction (mean 4.4/5), strong perceived usefulness (4.4/5) and complementarity (4.3/5) with university education. 91% would recommend the contest to colleagues, and 85% rated its usefulness in deepening clinical knowledge as 4 or 5/5. Participants reported improved clinical reasoning, teamwork, and awareness of the pharmacist’s clinical role.
The contest represents an innovative and scalable educational model that supports harmonisation of clinical pharmacy training and inter-university collaboration. It could be adopted across Europe to strengthen clinical competencies, foster professional identity, and promote patient-centred care.
Education and Research
FERNANDEZ LOPEZ, ELISA GEORGINA; SANTOS FAGUNDO, ANDREA; ESQUIVEL NEGRIN, JORGE; PEÑA HERNANDEZ, JOSEPHINE; GONZALEZ CRESPO, ALVARO; MAGDALENA PEREZ, AMARA; MARTIN CONDE, JOSE ANTONIO; DIAZ RUIZ, MARIA PILAR
Training in hospital pharmacy involves numerous critical technical processes (e.g. sterile preparations, parenteral nutrition, cytotoxic drugs, automated dispensing). These procedures demand high precision and adherence to protocols. Variability in training methods may lead to errors and reduced efficiency. To standardize training and provide residents and professionals with an accessible reference, a structured video library was developed.
A comprehensive training video library covering key technical processes in hospital pharmacy was designed and implemented in a tertiary hospital. The goal was to improve resident education, ensure adherence to protocols, and provide a rapid consultation tool for daily practice.
Training videos were produced for the following areas: sterile preparations (intravitreal injections, intrathecal, collyria, subcutaneous and intravenous re-dispensing, analgesia pumps), parenteral nutrition (adult and neonatal), cytotoxics (IV, SC, chemoembolization particles, elastomeric devices, intrathecal), laminar flow cabinet operation, pharmacy software tutorials, automated dispensing systems (Athos, carousels, outpatient robot), and logistics management (orders, forecasts). Each video followed a technical and regulatory script. Content was validated by professionals and residents through a pilot phase. The final materials were integrated into the hospital’s internal platform, with controlled access. Impact was assessed via satisfaction surveys and monitoring of procedural execution.
After one year, 85% of users reported improved learning and knowledge retention, while 100% of residents stated increased confidence in performing procedures. The tool has contributed to training standardization, greater adherence to protocols, and facilitated quick access to updated resources.
Future steps include producing additional videos, updating existing content according to regulatory/technological changes, and expanding the model to other hospital pharmacy departments. While it does not replace supervised practical training, this tool complements it and has strong potential for replication in other hospitals to improve quality and safety in pharmaceutical care.
