Many of the EJHP editors and reviewers are on the front line of COVID-19 care, which means that there are currently delays in peer review and publication decisions. Thank you for patience during this time.

The scope of the European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (EJHP) is broad and of interest to pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, as well as related disciplines of specific relevance to hospital pharmacy. The journal is of direct relevance to those involved in hospital pharmacy, as well as those involved with academic research, clinical, technical and social pharmacy, pharmaco-epidemiology and pharmaco-economics. The emphasis is on high quality content that augments the knowledge and practice of hospital pharmacists. The print circulation exceeds 17,000 copies to hospital pharmacists in Europe. However, readership and authorship from other, non-European countries is encouraged. EJHP receives submissions from over 40 countries, many of which are from authors based outside Europe (including the USA, Asia, the Middle East and Africa). Readership of the online edition is global.

The journal publishes both professional and research content. In all cases the emphasis will be on quality, originality and the contribution of articles relevant to hospital pharmacists and their colleagues. Please note that animal studies are not considered to be relevant for the audience.

European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy adheres to the highest standards concerning its editorial policies on publication ethics and scientific misconduct. The journal follows guidance produced by bodies that include the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), the Council of Science Editors and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). To view all BMJ Journal policies please refer to the BMJ Author Hub policies page, including information about our Editors’ roles and responsibilities. Authors are required to submit a statement that their study obtained ethics approval (or a statement that it was not required and why) and that participants gave informed consent. Our Editors will consider whether the work is morally acceptable as determined by the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki. In addition to this, in line with General Medical Council guidelines, an article that contains personal medical information about an identifiable living individual requires patients explicit consent (in the format of a signed BMJ patient consent form) before we will publish it. Please find further details on BMJ research ethics policies (human participants and animals) and consent for publication; including a link to the downloadable consent form.

To make the best decision on how to deal with a manuscript, European Journal of Hospital Pharmacyneeds to know about any competing interests authors may have; this includes any commercial, financial or non financial associations that may be relevant to the submitted article. Authors must download and complete a copy of the ICMJE Conflict of Interest disclosure form. In addition to this European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy ensures that all advertising and sponsorship associated with the journal does not influence editorial decisions, is immediately distinguishable from editorial content and meets all other BMJ guidelines. Please find more information about competing interests and a link to the form. We take seriously all possible misconduct. If an Editor, author or reader has concerns that a submitted article describes something that might be considered to constitute misconduct in research, publication or professional behaviour they should forward their concerns to the journal. The publisher will deal with allegations appropriately following ICMJE and COPE guidelines. Corrections and retractions are considered where an article has already been published; corrections, expressions of concern or a retraction notices will be published as soon as possible in line with the BMJ correction and retraction policy.

European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy is a Plan S compliant Transformative Journal. Transformative Journals are one of the compliance routes offered by cOAlition S funders, such as Wellcome, WHO and UKRI. Find out more about Transformative Journals and Plan S compliance on our Author Hub.

Authors are required to assign copyright in their work to the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists, excluding only UK Crown or US Federal Government employees acting in the course of their employment. Open access articles are published under the applicable Creative Commons licence. For full details, please refer to the European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy Author Licence. When publishing in European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, authors choose between three licence types – exclusive licence granted to BMJ, CC-BY-NC and CC-BY (Creative Commons open access licences require payment of an article processing charge). As an author you may wish to post your article in an institutional or subject repository, or on a scientific social sharing network. You may also link your published article to your preprint (if applicable).

What you can do with your article, without seeking permission, depends on the licence you have chosen and the version of your article. Please refer to the BMJ author self archiving and permissions policies page for more information.

Preprints foster openness, accessibility and collaboration by allowing authors to make their findings immediately available to the research community and receive feedback on an article before it is submitted to a journal for formal publication. BMJ fully supports and encourages the archiving of preprints in any recognised, not-for-profit server such as medRxiv. BMJ does not consider the posting of an article in a dedicated preprint repository to be prior publication.

Preprints are reports of work that have not been peer-reviewed; Preprints should therefore not be used to guide clinical practice, health-related behaviour or health policy. For more information, please refer to our Preprint policy page.

European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy submissions are predominantly unsolicited, all articles submitted are subject to peer review. The journal operates single anonymised peer review whereby the names of the reviewers are hidden from the author; usually two external reviewer reports are obtained before an Original research or Review article is accepted for publication. Articles authored by a member of a journal’s editorial team are independently peer reviewed; an editor will have no input or influence on the peer review process or publication decision for their own article. For more information on what to expect during the peer review process please refer to BMJ Author Hub – your paper’s journey. BMJ is committed to transparency. Every article we publish includes a description of its provenance (commissioned or not commissioned) and whether it was internally or externally peer reviewed. BMJ requests that all reviewers adhere to a set of basic principles and standards during the peer review process; these are based on the COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers. Please refer to our peer review terms and conditions policy page.

Plagiarism is the appropriation of the language, ideas or thoughts of another without crediting their true source and representation of them as one’s own original work. BMJ is a member of CrossCheck by CrossRef and iThenticate. iThenticate is a plagiarism screening service that verifies the originality of content submitted before publication. BMJ runs manuscripts through iThenticate during the peer review process. Authors, researchers and freelancers can also use iThenticate to screen their work before submission by visiting www.ithenticate.com. Reader responses, questions and comments to published content are welcomed by European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy; these should be submitted electronically via the journals website. Please find further details on how to publish a response and the terms and requirements.

European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy adheres to BMJ’s Tier 2 data policy. We strongly encourage that data generated by your research that supports your article be made available as soon as possible, wherever legally and ethically possible. We also require data from clinical trials to be made available upon reasonable request. To adhere to ICMJE guidelines, we require that a data sharing plan must be included with trial registration for clinical trials that begin enrolling participants on or after 1st January 2019. Changes to the plan must be noted in the Data Availability Statement and updated in the registry record. All research articles must contain a Data Availability Statement. For more information and FAQs, please see BMJ’s full Data Sharing Policy page.

European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy mandates ORCID iDs for the submitting author at the time of article submission; co-authors and reviewers are strongly encouraged to also connect their ScholarOne accounts to ORCID. We strongly believe that the increased use and integration of ORCID iDs will be beneficial for the whole research community. Please find more information about ORCID and BMJ’s policy on our Author Hub.

BMJ is committed to ensuring that all good quality research is published. Our article transfer service helps authors find the best journal for their research while providing an easy and smooth publication process. If authors agree to transfer their manuscript, all versions, supplementary files and peer reviewer comments are automatically transferred; there is no need to resubmit or reformat. Authors who submit to the European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy and are rejected will be offered the option of transferring to another BMJ Journal, such as BMJ Open.

Please note that the article transfer service does not guarantee acceptance but you should receive a quicker initial decision on your manuscript. Contact the Transfer Editor at transfers@bmj.com

During submission, authors can choose to have their article published open access for 2,575 GBP (exclusive of VAT for UK and EU authors). Publishing open access has multiple benefits including wider reach, faster impact and increased citation and usage. There are no submission, page or colour figure charges.

Find out if you are eligible for institutional funding A number of institutions have open access agreements with BMJ which can either cover the whole cost of open access publishing for authors at participating institutions or can allow authors to receive a discount off the APC. Visit BMJ’s open access agreements page to find out whether your institution is a member and what discounts you may be entitled to. For more information on publishing open access with BMJ visit our Author Hub.

A rapid response is a moderated but not peer reviewed online response to a published article in European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy; it will not receive a DOI and will not be indexed. Find out more about responses and how to submit a response.

Please review the below article type specifications including the required article lengths, illustrations, table limits and reference counts. The word count excludes the title page, abstract, tables, acknowledgements, contributions and references. Manuscripts should be as succinct as possible. For further support when making your submission please refer to the resources available on the BMJ Author Hub. Here you will find information on writing and formatting your research through to the peer review process and promoting your paper. We encourage authors to ensure that research articles are written in accordance with the relevant research reporting guideline. You may also wish to use the language editing and translation services provided by BMJ Author Services.

• Original research
• Systematic review
• Short report
• Editorial
• Letter
• Hands on medicines information
• Case report
• Protocol
• Supplements

Full papers must present important, substantial new material and should be of direct relevance to clinical practice or important contributions to theoretical frameworks. Animal studies are not considered. Research reviews that systematically synthesise evidence (e.g. Systematic reviews, Meta-analysis, Scoping reviews, Mixed methods reviews, etc) should be submitted as Systematic reviews. Original research should not exceed 3000 words plus references; articles that exceed this word limit may need to be returned for revision before peer review. Additional data may be presented as supplementary information, which will be published online only should the article be accepted. This can take any form (text, tables, images, videos etc.) but please note that these files will not be copyedited or typeset and will be published as supplied, therefore PDF files are preferred where possible (excluding videos). Original research should be presented in sections: Abstract No more than 300 words, summarising the problem being considered, how the study was performed, the salient results and the principal conclusions under subheadings ‘Objectives’, ‘Methods’, ‘Results’, and ‘Conclusions’. Editorial on how to write an abstract Authors may also submit a version of their abstract in their local language, for publication online only. This should be uploaded as a separate file and labelled as ‘Abstract in local language’. The text should match the English version as closely as possible. Note that this version of the abstract will not be copyedited or typeset, and will be published online in the format provided by the author as supplementary information. Keywords A minimum of 5 are required. These should be presented beneath the abstract and in the box provided in the online submission process. Introduction Brief description of the background that led to the study (current results and conclusions should not be included). Methods Details relevant to the conduct of the study. Wherever possible give numbers of subjects studied (not percentages alone). Statistical methods should be clearly explained at the end of this section. Results Undue repetition in text and tables should be avoided. Comment on validity and significance of results is appropriate but broader discussion of their implication is restricted to the next section. Subheadings that aid clarity of presentation within this and the previous section are encouraged. Discussion The nature and findings of the study are placed in context of other relevant published data. Caveats to the study should be discussed. Avoid undue extrapolation from the study topic. Acknowledgments and affiliations Individuals with direct involvement in the study but not included in authorship may be acknowledged. The source of financial support and industry affiliations of all those involved must be stated. References Should not exceed 30. Please see References for further style guidance. Figures and tables Maximum of 6 tables and/or figures. As there are no charges for colour figure reproduction, authors are encouraged to supply figures and illustrations in full colour. Please see Figures/illustrations and Tables for further style guidance. Units of measurement Measurements of length, height, weight, and volume should be reported in metric units (metre, kilogram, or litre) or their decimal multiples. Temperatures should be given in degrees Celsius. Blood pressures should be given in millimetres of mercury. All haematological and clinical chemistry measurements should be reported in the metric system in terms of the International System of Units (SI). The symbol L for litre is recommended in order to avoid the risk of confusion between the letter l and the number 1. Percentages should normally be presented as whole numbers. Abbreviations and symbols Use only standard abbreviations. Avoid abbreviations in the title and abstract. The full term for which an abbreviation stands should precede its first use in the text unless it is a standard unit of measurement. Trial registration Where applicable, articles should include trial registration: registry and number (for clinical trials and, if available, for observational studies and systematic reviews). Please refer to our policy for trial registration. Research reporting guidelines EJHP encourages compliance to the following reporting guidelines. Please upload the relevant completed checklist for your study type with your submission, and label it “Research checklist”. If no relevant checklist is available for your study type, this can be indicated on the submission form.

• CONSORT statement – Required for all randomised controlled trials
• PRISMA statement – Required for all systematic reviews
• EVEREST statement – Required for all economic evaluations
• STARD statement – Required for all diagnostic research papers
• STROBE statement – Required for all observational studies
• SQUIRE statement – Required for all quality improvement studies

Guidance and forms are available from EQUATOR. Please include the key messages of your article after your abstract using the following headings. This section should be no more than 3-5 sentences and should be distinct from the abstract; be succinct, specific and accurate.

• What is already known on this topic – summarise the state of scientific knowledge on this subject before you did your study and why this study needed to be done
• What this study adds – summarise what we now know as a result of this study that we did not know before
• How this study might affect research, practice or policy – summarise the implications of this study

This will be published as a summary box after the abstract in the final published article.

This article type includes all research reviews that systematically synthesise evidence (e.g. Systematic reviews, Meta-analysis, Scoping reviews, Mixed methods reviews, etc).  Articles should follow PRISMA guidelines and the research type should be included in your title to make the nature of your study clear. Authors may wish to seek the advice of the Editor in advance. Please include the key messages of your article after your abstract using the following headings. This section should be no more than 3-5 sentences and should be distinct from the abstract; be succinct, specific and accurate.

• What is already known on this topic – summarise the state of scientific knowledge on this subject before you did your study and why this study needed to be done
• What this study adds – summarise what we now know as a result of this study that we did not know before
• How this study might affect research, practice or policy – summarise the implications of this study

This will be published as a summary box after the abstract in the final published article.

Word count: up to 3000 words Abstract: up to 300 words Tables/illustrations: maximum of 6 References: up to 50

The format is identical to that of an original article (see above) and should include an Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion.

Word count: up to 1500 words. Abstract: up to 150 words. Tables/illustrations: maximum 1 table and/or figure. References: up to 15

The aim of an Editorial is to stimulate thought (often with more questions than answers) rather than review the subject exhaustively. Editorials are often commissioned and linked to one or more articles published in the same issue. Personal opinion and comment are perfectly legitimate since the Editorial is not anonymous, though of course such opinion needs to be reasonable and backed up by appropriate evidence.

Word count: up to 1500 words Tables/illustrations: maximum of 2 tables and/or figures References: up to 30

The objective of a letter is to provide a platform for discussion and dialogue between readers and the EJHP. Readers are encouraged to submit items for discussion which would be of particular interest to hospital pharmacists, as well as to submit feedback on a topic in a previous issue. This article can be in the style of a letter-to-the-editor, and can either be opinion based or can focus on the factual background of a previously published topic.

Word count: up to 500 words Tables/illustrations: maximum of 1 References: up to 5

This section aims to present clinical queries arising from medicines information practice. These should be complex or unusual queries that would be of interest to other hospital pharmacists that may come across similar cases in their clinical practice. The submission should present a clearly defined clinical question and answer, which should be supported with scientific evidence. The inclusion of patient-specific information and an outcome assessment is strongly encouraged. The article should be structured as: Summary of up to 150 words Introduction, including the case presentation and any clinical or background information relevant to the query Clinical question Recommended answer, including the problem-solving approach used (if applicable) Outcome and discussion Key message/learning outcome of one sentence

Word count: up to 1500 words Tables/illustrations: maximum 1 table and/or figure References: up to 10

A case report should be a detailed narrative that describes for pharmaceutical, medical, scientific or educational purposes a medication problem experienced by one or several patients and focused on pharmaceutical aspects in the medication process with (potential) harm to the patient (critical incidence) or proven specific benefit/result. The case could also be of a medication error that may have wider interest. A pharmacist should be involved in the process and the contribution and interest for pharmacists clearly stated. The case report must be submitted in the form of the standard EJHP template.

Case reports are also required to fulfil certain criteria:

• They should add to the clinical and/or pharmaceutical knowledge, so should not be about a common occurrence.
• They should be set in the context of the wider literature. In particular, authors should check whether the problem has already been discussed or reported elsewhere.
• For patient-related reports, signed permission for publication must be obtained from the patient(s) concerned according to BMJ’s usual patient consent guidelines.

Protocol manuscripts should report planned or ongoing studies. If data collection is complete, the report can be considered for publication but not as a protocol. EJHP will consider for publication protocols for any study design, including observational studies and systematic reviews. This is in addition to an appropriate registration of the trial on a protocol register. Publishing study protocols enables researchers and funding bodies to stay up to date in their fields by providing exposure to research activity that may not otherwise be widely publicised. This can help prevent unnecessary duplication of work and will hopefully enable collaboration. Publishing protocols in full also makes available more information than is currently required by trial registries and increases transparency, making it easier for others (editors, reviewers and readers) to see and understand any deviations from the protocol that occur during the conduct of the study. Please note that protocols will be published online only. Please include the key messages of your article after your abstract using the following headings. This section should be no more than 3-5 sentences and should be distinct from the abstract; be succinct, specific and accurate.

• What is already known on this topic – summarise the state of scientific knowledge on this subject before you did your study and why this study needed to be done
• What this study adds – summarise what we now know as a result of this study that we did not know before
• How this study might affect research, practice or policy – summarise the implications of this study

This will be published as a summary box after the abstract in the final published article.

Protocols should follow the following structure: Title: This should include the specific study type e.g. randomised controlled trial. Abstract: This should be structured into sections: Introduction; Methods and analysis; Ethics and dissemination. Registration details should be included as a final section, if appropriate. Introduction: Explain the rationale for the study and what evidence gap it may fill. Appropriate previous literature should be referenced, including relevant systematic reviews. Methods and analysis: Provide a full description of the study design, including how the sample will be selected; interventions to be measured; the sample size calculation (drawing on previous literature) with an estimate of how many participants will be needed for the primary outcome to be statistically, clinically and/or politically significant; what outcomes will be measured, when and how; a data analysis plan. Ethics and dissemination: Outline ethical and safety considerations and the dissemination plan (publications, data deposition and curation). References Authors’ contributions: State how each author was involved in writing the protocol. Funding statement: Preferably worded as follows: ‘This work was supported by [name of funder] grant number [xxx]’ or ‘This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors’. Competing interests statement

The BMJ Publishing Group journals are willing to consider publishing supplements to regular issues. Supplement proposals may be made at the request of:

• The journal editor, an editorial board member or a learned society may wish to organise a meeting, sponsorship may be sought and the proceedings published as a supplement.
• The journal editor, editorial board member or learned society may wish to commission a supplement on a particular theme or topic. Again, sponsorship may be sought.
• The BMJPG itself may have proposals for supplements where sponsorship may be necessary.
• A sponsoring organisation, often a pharmaceutical company or a charitable foundation, that wishes to arrange a meeting, the proceedings of which will be published as a supplement.

In all cases, it is vital that the journal’s integrity, independence and academic reputation is not compromised in any way.

For further information on criteria that must be fulfilled, download the supplements guidelines. When contacting us regarding a potential supplement, please include as much of the information below as possible.

• Journal in which you would like the supplement published
• Title of supplement and/or meeting on which it is based
• Date of meeting on which it is based
• Proposed table of contents with provisional article titles and proposed authors
• An indication of whether authors have agreed to participate
• Sponsor information including any relevant deadlines
• An indication of the expected length of each paper Guest Editor proposals if appropriate