The crucial role of hospital pharmacists in addressing challenges and improving access to safe, quality medicines and medical devices has been highlighted in a new reference document from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).
The reference document aims to strengthen collaboration among healthcare professionals, patients, policy makers and other health stakeholders to increase access and address associated issues such as medicine affordability, availability, quality and safety.
It acknowledges significant disparity in the ‘pharmacy workforce between low- and high-income countries, underscoring the need for targeted initiatives to bridge this gap’.
And it outlines the current situation of access to essential medicines, including related regulations and the impact of pharmacists, with case studies from the Netherlands and Spain, as well as Australia, Egypt, Malaysia and South Africa.
Unique opportunities to support medicines access
In particular, FIP highlights the unique opportunities hospital pharmacists have to rationalise drug use and reduce medicine related problems, adverse medicine effects and the length of stay for patients. In turn, this improves patient outcomes, speeds up recovery times and reduces the number of future hospital visits, FIP said, all of which contribute to reduced healthcare costs.
The reference document also encourages the use of biosimilar substitution as ‘a way in which significant savings in health systems and hospitals can be achieved, thus increasing access’. And it references the European Medicines Agency’s guidelines for biosimilar substitution to support pharmacists with appropriate decision-making.
Ensuring uninterrupted medicines supply by monitoring medicines shortages, price changes and supply chain issues; supervising and optimising medication use; and managing the safe disposal of medication waste to support sustainable practices are among other responsibilities mentioned.
Pharmacists’ contributions to person-centred care and improving transitions of care between healthcare settings are also championed.
The reference document also considers capacity building for improved access to pharmaceutical expertise, including new roles for pharmacists in light of developments in public health and technology.
Such examples include pharmacists using data analytics and artificial intelligence to identify medicine shortages, predict medication needs and tailor interventions to individual patients, as well as using telepharmacy and remote monitoring to improve patient comprehension and medication adherence.
Lars-Åke Söderlund, FIP vice president and co-chair of the FIP committee that developed the reference document, said: ‘Access to essential medicines and medical devices is vital for managing health conditions, preventing diseases and improving wellbeing. Essential Medicines Lists serve as a foundation for promoting equitable access to healthcare and addressing the most pressing health needs within a population.
‘This document highlights the importance of access to essential medicines. It also outlines the role of FIP in improving access and addressing the challenges and issues that exist around it.’
He added: ‘This document can be used as an advocacy tool for overcoming barriers hindering access.’
In September, FIP also updated its 2005 statement of policy on the role of pharmacists in access to safe and quality medicines, stating that ‘governments should ensure that access to medicines and medical devices is always accompanied by access to pharmacists and pharmaceutical expertise’.
The 2024 version includes a range of ‘pertinent recommendations’ for how different groups of stakeholders can improve access to safe and quality essential medicines.
