At the start of the new European Commission’s first full year of operation, the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) has issued a call to EU policy makers to make 2015 a year of action in meeting the antimicrobial resistance challenge.
Publishing a new policy statement of its 34 national member associations, EAHP President Dr Roberto Frontini said:
At the start of the new European Commission’s first full year of operation, the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) has issued a call to EU policy makers to make 2015 a year of action in meeting the antimicrobial resistance challenge.
Publishing a new policy statement of its 34 national member associations, EAHP President Dr Roberto Frontini said:
“The threat antimicrobial resistance poses to healthcare in Europe is hard to overstate. Yet we also know a wide array of policy actions are available. The missing component is serious political intent to drive improvement in how antibiotics are used, and to create an enhanced research environment for new antimicrobial agents.
The policy statement EAHP published reminds policy makers of the opportunities before them – including the vital hospital pharmacist resource. Robust stewardship of antimicrobials in hospitals across Europe can be achieved by unleashing to a greater extent than presently the expert role of the hospital pharmacist. Hospital pharmacists should be empowered to make direct interventions within multidisciplinary care teams to achieve better use of antibiotics. This includes reviewing antibiotic duration, advising on the cessation of inappropriate antibiotic treatments, and educating other healthcare professionals on the restricted use of certain antibiotics.
When it comes to tackling antimicrobial resistance in the hospital sector, the hospital pharmacist is a key actor in meeting the challenge. However, to achieve the full potential of their role they need to enabled to do so by health system managers.”
EAHP is also urging:
The new European Commission to review again what further roles it can play, alongside Governments and other stakeholders in improving the research environment for new antimicrobials, and improvements in pan-European monitoring and regulation in respect of antibiotic use in other sectors such as agriculture, veterinary and aquaculture.
EAHP’s policy statement on antimicrobial resistance is available here.
