Results of EAHP’s 2023 shortages survey

• Published in: European journal of hospital pharmacy. Science and practice p. ejhpharm-2024-004090
• Main Authors: Miljković, Nenad, Polidori, Piera, Leonardi Vinci, Daniele, Kuruc Poje, Darija, Makridaki, Despina, Kohl, Stephanie, Süle, András
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England British Medical Journal Publishing Group 02.02.2024; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Access to information; EDUCATION, PHARMACY; Health Care Rationing; HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION; Medical equipment; Original research; Pharmacists; PHARMACY SERVICE, HOSPITAL; PUBLIC HEALTH; Quality of Health Care; Shortages; Cyprus; Europe; PUBLIC HEALTH; HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION; Quality of Health Care; EDUCATION, PHARMACY; Health Care Rationing; PHARMACY SERVICE, HOSPITAL
• ISSN: 2047-9956; 2047-9964
• DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2024-004090

Aims and objectiveThe aim of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP)’s 2023 shortages survey was to collect data on causes and mitigation strategies of shortages of medicines and medical devices and their impact on patient care. The survey targeted hospital pharmacists (HPs), physicians (PHYs), nurses (NRS) and other healthcare professionals (OHCPs). A separate set of questions addressed patients (PTNs).MethodsA 49-question survey was carried out by a team at EAHP, collecting information from European HPs, PTNs, NRS, PHYs and OTHCs on shortages of medicines and medical devices in their respective countries. The survey ran from 27 February to 19 May 2023. The results were analysed by EAHP.ResultsThere were 1497 HP responses to the 2023 survey. While 95% (n=1429) of HPs and 86% (n=127) of OHCPs consider medicine shortages an ongoing problem, 84% (n=48) of PHYs and 68% (n=15) of NRS also agreed. Shortages of active pharmaceutical ingredients (77%, n=1148), manufacturing (67%, n=1007) and supply chain problems (50%, n=752) are major causes of shortages according to HPs as well as NRS and OHCPs; PHYs (49%, n=18) consider pricing to be the driver. More than 60% (n=765) of HPs, 55% (n=11) of NRS, 57% (n=30) of PHYs and 46% (n=56) of OHCPs experienced shortages of medical devices in 2022. Antimicrobials were most affected, according to all respondent groups, followed by analgesics, anaesthetics, cardiovascular and paediatric medicines. HPs (59%, n=269), NRS (57%, n=4), OHCPs (56%, n=37) and PHYs (54%, n=14) consider delays in care as the main consequence of medication shortages.ConclusionsShortages of medicines and medical devices affect healthcare services and patient care. Increased transparency and access to information regarding ongoing and emerging shortages as well as better preparedness of healthcare professionals is crucial to their effective management.