European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice最新文献

{"title":"Exploring the organisation, operation and inquiries of Centres for Medicines Information: insights from a narrative review and questionnaire.","authors":"Evelyne Van den Broucke, Ming Min, Lien Cosemans, Pieter-Jan Cortoos, Thomas De Rijdt, Frank Weekers, Charlotte Quintens, Isabel Spriet","doi":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004701","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004701","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Centres for Medicines Information (CMIs) are core components in providing evidence-based recommendations to practitioners, thus reducing medication errors. This study examined the organisational and operational features of international CMIs and the types of inquiries they address. Its findings aim to support the development of new CMIs and to suggest recommendations for improvement.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A narrative review was conducted using PubMed as the database. In addition, an anonymous e-questionnaire was sent to hospital pharmacists through the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Findings from 20 studies and surveys from seven CMIs showed that most were hospital-based. The literature suggested that they provided regional services while survey data indicated they typically served a single institution. They mostly operated during regular working hours, with some offering 24/7 availability. CMIs primarily supported healthcare professionals by addressing medication-related queries. However, proactive information dissemination via newsletters and education is also important, as well as promoting the service. Digital documentation was more common in newer CMIs, while older ones lacked such integration. The use of Frequently Asked Question pages was limited across all CMIs. Electronic health record-based inquiry systems were rare, found in only three hospitals surveyed. Pharmacists were the main personnel, although the levels of training varied. To ensure effectiveness, quality assurance efforts focused on documenting references and responses, validating answers and ensuring timely replies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study offers an overview of CMIs, aiming to guide their organisation and practice. The findings suggest that future CMIs should prioritise regional collaboration and digital integration to boost efficiency and cost-effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":12050,"journal":{"name":"European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148886642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Administrative delays in access to high-impact medicines: a patient safety risk.","authors":"Silvia Vázquez-Gómez, Débora Feijoo-Meléndez, Sandra Caíña López","doi":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2026-005309","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/ejhpharm-2026-005309","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12050,"journal":{"name":"European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148839361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Semaglutide-associated agranulocytosis requiring hospitalisation and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor: a case report.","authors":"María Calvo Arbeloa, Iranzu Elcano Aguirre, Montserrat Alvarellos Outeiro, María Lison Madrona, Maite Pérez de Ciriza Cordeu, Maite Sarobe Carricas, Ramón San Miguel Elcano","doi":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2026-005049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/ejhpharm-2026-005049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), is widely used in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Although generally well tolerated, severe haematological adverse reactions remain poorly characterised. A 48-year-old woman treated with subcutaneous semaglutide for obesity developed febrile agranulocytosis with an absolute neutrophil count of 0.0×10⁹/L after several months of therapy. Baseline blood counts had been normal prior to treatment. Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy showed preserved cellularity with granulocytic maturation arrest at the promyelocyte/myelocyte stage. Semaglutide was discontinued and empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics together with a single dose of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor were administered, resulting in rapid and sustained haematological recovery. Alternative aetiologies were systematically investigated. Causality assessment using the Naranjo algorithm suggested a possible drug-related reaction (score 3). Although causality cannot be definitively established from a single case, the temporal relationship, objective haematological findings, positive dechallenge and systematic exclusion of alternative aetiologies support a possible drug-related association. This case highlights a rare but serious adverse drug reaction and underscores the importance of multidisciplinary causality assessment and pharmacovigilance.</p>","PeriodicalId":12050,"journal":{"name":"European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148812178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physicochemical stability of the nefopam in elastomeric device at 0.2 and 3.33 mg/mL.","authors":"Aline Daval, Elise D'Huart, Franck Blaise, Caroline Marquet, Nathalie Sobalak, Jean Vigneron, Pierre Le Quinio, Marine Tambon, Béatrice Demoré","doi":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004668","DOIUrl":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004668","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Nefopam is a non-opioid analgesic used for postoperative pain control. For intravenous home use, a portable elastomeric device is often preferred for administration. The nefopam in the device must be stable at 32°C because this device is positioned close to the patient.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical stability of nefopam solutions at 0.2 and 3.33 mg/mL diluted in 0.9% NaCl in silicone portable elastomeric devices at 32°C in the dark.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three portable elastomeric devices were prepared for each condition. Chemical stability was assessed by pH measurement and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonisation Q2(R1). Stability was tested after preparation and after 6 and 24 hours of storage. At each time of analysis, the pH values were measured, and three samples from each device were analysed via HPLC. The solution is chemically stable if it retains more than 90% of its initial concentration, with the appearance of any degradation products monitored, and if the pH variation is less than one unit. Physical stability was evaluated by visual and subvisual inspection using a particle counter following the European Pharmacopoeia guidelines.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nefopam solutions at both concentrations maintained more than 93% of their initial concentration after 6 and 24 hours at 32°C, with no pH variation exceeding one unit, demonstrating chemical stability. For both concentrations, visual inspection was compliant at each analysis time, and subvisual inspection was consistent at 24 hours. Physical stability was therefore demonstrated for both concentrations after 24 hours.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The physicochemical stability of nefopam solutions at 0.2 and 3.33 mg/mL was demonstrated for 24 hours at 32°C in portable elastomeric infusion devices. This attribute allows continuous administration at home, particularly in cases of difficulty with oral administration, or minimises the side effects of discontinuous administration.</p>","PeriodicalId":12050,"journal":{"name":"European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice","volume":" ","pages":"467-473"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145676749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A pharmacist-led intervention to promote the uptake of an infliximab biosimilar by patients and physicians in a university hospital rheumatology unit.","authors":"Marion Duwez, Axel Finckh, Pascal Bonnabry","doi":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004604","DOIUrl":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004604","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Biosimilars represent an opportunity to reduce healthcare costs. An infliximab biosimilar (b-IFX) was introduced in our hospital in 2017. Our pharmacist-led intervention aimed to improve the adoption rate of b-IFX by rheumatology physicians and outpatients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In 2020, pharmacists started educating rheumatologists via medical meetings and online surveys. When the substitution rate plateaued (63%), we initiated a prospective cohort study. A senior pharmacist interviewed patients and gave them oral and written information during their infusions with the originator infliximab (o-IFX). A semi-structured questionnaire assessed patients' beliefs, knowledge and experiences to identify barriers to switching to biosimilars. Pharmacists' recommendations were transmitted to physicians. Patients were categorised into 'Switch-failure' (≥1 b-IFX infusion administered but restarted o-IFX), 'Switch-refusal' (refused the switch) and 'Switch-omission' (switch neither suggested nor made) groups. Pharmacist follow-up continued for 3 years after the interviews, with regular reminders sent to rheumatologists.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 1 October 2021 to 31 January 2022, 16 of 18 patients treated using o-IFX were interviewed and three, six and seven patients were categorised into the Switch-failure, Switch-refusal and Switch-omission groups, respectively. Nine patients agreed to switch during their interviews, including one patient in the Switch-failure group. Seven patients refused to switch because they were stable or had previously discontinued b-IFX due to a perceived loss of efficacy. The 3-year post-interview assessment showed that five patients had switched but one had switched back, resulting in annual savings of €44 000 and a final switch rate of 71%, a positive return on investment in pharmacist time. Four accepted switches were not performed due to coordination issues between other healthcare professionals or health-related cancellations. No o-IFX initiations occurred during the study and no rheumatologists refused substitution.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sustained pharmacist involvement in providing targeted education to prescribers and patients was essential to identifying barriers to change and enhancing the adoption of biosimilars.</p>","PeriodicalId":12050,"journal":{"name":"European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice","volume":" ","pages":"423-430"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148293896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"German Federal Association of Hospital Pharmacists national survey of clinical pharmacy services in Germany, 2024.","authors":"Heike Hilgarth, Anna Dohm, Andreas Fischer, Holger Knoth, Ulrich Warnke","doi":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004721","DOIUrl":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004721","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Clinical pharmacy care in German hospitals has recently evolved, driven by digitalisation and legal reforms. The only comprehensive overview of clinical pharmacy care in Germany was published in 2019. The current survey aims to update and describe the status quo of clinical pharmacy services in Germany, highlighting developments in this field since the previous publication.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In 2024, an online survey with 45 questions was carried out among chief pharmacists, organised within the German Federal Association of Hospital Pharmacists (ADKA) e.V. (n=328). The survey collected structural data (eg, beds and workforce), as well as information on the extent and range of clinical pharmacy services.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The survey received 135 responses, resulting in a response rate of 41%. The provision of clinical pharmacy services (CPS) was already well established in 114 pharmacies (85.7%), meaning at least 32.4% of all German hospital pharmacies offer CPS. The average number of full-time equivalents dedicated to these services per hospital pharmacy is 4.3, which is an increase of1.9 full-time equivalents compared with the first survey. Regular visits (at least once a week) are reported in the range of 80% for most surgical disciplines, haematology/oncology and critical care/anaesthesia. The regular patient-centred services were offered daily or 2-3 times weekly, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This follow-up survey provides a comprehensive overview of the developments since the initial survey, offering a detailed analysis of the current status of CPS in German hospitals. A general improvement has been observed regarding the range of services offered, utilisation of workforce resources and frequency of service delivery. Despite this positive development, further measures are necessary to ensure the enhancement and improvement of CPS in all hospitals.</p>","PeriodicalId":12050,"journal":{"name":"European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice","volume":" ","pages":"437-442"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539845/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145586557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tackling medication errors: how a systems approach improves patient safety.","authors":"Sonja Guntschnig, Renata Barbosa, Helena Jenzer, Matthew Greening, Jennifer Hayde, Helen Heery, Maria Cristina Iglesias Serrano, Kristína Lajtmanová, Elisabetta Rossin, Slagjana Tentova-Peceva, Stephanie Kohl, Alma Mulac","doi":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004533","DOIUrl":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004533","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Medication errors are a leading source of preventable harm in healthcare, affecting approximately 1 in 30 patients, with a substantial proportion resulting in severe outcomes. In response, the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists convened a Special Interest Group (SIG) to propose comprehensive and sustainable strategies for reducing these errors across Europe, employing a systems approach.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>89 anonymised medication error reports, and empirical data from the SIG members' daily practice, were analysed to identify root causes, classified into system-level and individual errors. Expert subgroups then linked root causes to targeted preventive measures. A literature review was conducted, searching PubMed and Embase databases, to assess existing standards and identify gaps in medication safety practices, which informed the analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Analysis revealed that governance deficiencies and inconsistent implementation of existing legal standards contribute significantly to medication errors. System-level issues, including inadequate oversight, understaffing and insufficient technical infrastructures, along with individual errors from cognitive lapses, were prevalent. The literature review supported these findings and highlighted the variability in medication safety practices across systems, underscoring the importance of strategic improvements in healthcare policies.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings highlight the critical need for robust governance, comprehensive policy frameworks and enhanced safety cultures to prevent medication errors. Automation and improved human-machine interfaces are recommended to mitigate active failures and enhance system reliability. This systems-thinking approach, supported by strengthening legislation and better resource allocation, is essential for reducing medication errors and improving patient safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":12050,"journal":{"name":"European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice","volume":" ","pages":"455-461"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539831/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143980418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using Raman spectroscopy to analyse in situ a precipitate appearing in a catheter line after drug co-administration.","authors":"Ellen Hagesaether, Ingeborg Karboe, Ingunn Tho, Kaveh Teimori, Niklas Nilsson","doi":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004664","DOIUrl":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2025-004664","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To use the Raman scattering technique to identify precipitating drug substance(s) in situ.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>The case originated when a combination of midazolam hydrochloride, clonidine hydrochloride and fentanyl citrate with Numeta G16E was administered in a central venous catheter line. Following an alarm from the syringe pump, a precipitate in the catheter line was visually observed.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The actual catheter line, with the precipitate still inside, was removed from the clinic and brought to the laboratory. Raman spectra of the precipitate, both when still inside the catheter line (in situ) and after removal, were recorded and analysed for similarity using our in-house database. Additionally, to validate the method, dry powders of midazolam, clonidine and fentanyl were mixed in the ratio of ~300:1:1. This tailor-made mixture was subjected to Raman analysis with the aim of validating the ability of the method to identify all components in a mixture, even if some of the components were present only in small amounts.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The precipitate was successfully identified as midazolam. Measuring in situ caused some additional peaks in the Raman spectra, attributed to the plastic of the catheter line. The influence of these additional peaks was eliminated by a two-component search or by demixing the spectra. The spectra of the precipitate indicated no traces of either clonidine or fentanyl. The experimental results were in line with the results from the theoretical calculations. The ability of Raman spectroscopy to identify both midazolam and small amounts of clonidine and fentanyl in a powder mixture was successfully demonstrated by scanning the tailor-made mixture.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Raman spectroscopy in combination with a database was used for rapid and non-invasive bulk identification in situ. However, to confirm or refute small amounts of a second drug substance in the precipitate, a large area scan of the particle on a flat surface is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":12050,"journal":{"name":"European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice","volume":" ","pages":"462-466"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539855/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145751808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Accelerating biosimilar adoption by empowering hospital pharmacists: a dialogue between emerging markets and European hospital pharmacists.","authors":"Nenad Miljković, András Süle, Ana Lozano Blázquez, Despoina Makridaki, Tjalling van der Schors, Håvard Kirkevold, Romain De Jorna, Gonzalo Marzal Lopez","doi":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2026-005234","DOIUrl":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2026-005234","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12050,"journal":{"name":"European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice","volume":" ","pages":"393-394"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148677567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimisation of voriconazole treatment in paediatric patients with <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> fungal endocarditis: a pharmacokinetics case report.","authors":"Mario Rodenas-Rovira, Mayte Gil-Candel, Inés Burgos-Berjillos, Catalina Montoya-Tamayo, Javier Garcia-Pellicer, José Luis Poveda-Andrés","doi":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2024-004425","DOIUrl":"10.1136/ejhpharm-2024-004425","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The case study presented involves a paediatric patient treated with voriconazole for fungal endocarditis caused by <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> Therapeutic plasma concentrations of voriconazole could not be achieved with the established dosing regimen and administration frequency. In response to this situation, and after successive dose increases and a pharmacogenetic analysis that confirmed the patient was not a CYP2C19 or CYP2C9 rapid or ultra-rapid metaboliser, a new administration frequency of every 8 hours was proposed, with limited evidence, but which allowed achieving target concentrations and patient improvement. This study highlights the importance of voriconazole monitoring, especially in paediatric patients, given the wide variety of factors that can alter its plasma concentrations. The study also calls for future studies to evaluate the utility of an 8 hourly dosing regimen, providing the possibility of avoiding switching voriconazole to another antifungal with less evidence in the paediatric population, a relevant issue in terms of resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":12050,"journal":{"name":"European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice","volume":" ","pages":"479-482"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144820991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}