EAHP launches 2014 survey on medicines shortages in Europe

The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) has today (19 March) launched its 2014 survey on medicines shortages in Europe. It will be open for seven weeks, closing at midnight CET on 7 May 2014.

Covering issues such as the prevalence of shortages, types of shortages, and length of shortages, the survey  also investigates the impact that shortages have on patient care and the operation of hospital pharmacy services.

Speaking on the launch of the survey , EAHP President Dr Roberto Frontini said: "EAHP’s previous survey in 2013 told us just how prevalent the problem of medicines shortages in European hospitals has become - 99% of hospital pharmacists reported it as a problem, 63% said it is a weekly or daily occurrence, and 73% reported the problem to be getting worse.

"As we continue to raise awareness of this problem with the European political institutions, and call attention to the need for action, we are urging hospital pharmacists in every country to tell us more about the how the problem is impacting their work and the provision of care to patients.

"It is in the public interest that experiences about medicines shortages are shared and made well known in order that evidence based policy responses can be instigated without undue delay. I therefore encourage every hospital pharmacist, at whatever level of practice, to complete the survey and tell us what’s happening in their hospital!"

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