EAHP learning modules

A number of modules for self-assessment are now available online via BMJ Learning. Aimed at hospital pharmacists and based on recordings of satellite events held at the annual European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) Congress, they are free to access and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The events were financially supported by different external organisations but totally independent of industry involvement, with the faculty and the topics selected by the EAHP scientific committee. All users must complete a one-time registration on BMJ Learning and subsequently log in on every visit using their username and password to access modules and their CPD record. Accreditation is only valid for 2 years from the date of publication. Printable CPD certificates are available to users that achieve the minimum pass mark and complete a survey at the end of the course. 1.5-2 ACPE credits will be awarded, depending on the length of the course.

Antibiotic stewardship: advanced Antibiotic stewardship is at the interface of procurement, clinical pharmacy and patient safety. This advanced course outlines the challenges in antibiotic dosing, discusses the role of clinical pharmacists in antibiotic stewardship, describes new drugs under development, and presents options for handling difficult patient cases.

The Hospital Pharmacist’s role in antithrombotic stewardship Explains how to determine and manage the reversible risk factors for bleeding in patients taking Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs), establish an antithrombotic stewardship programme to improve adherence to anticoagulant guidelines to minimize complications, and communicate this knowledge to other healthcare professionals. As DOACs are the first-line option for the prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE), it is essential that hospital pharmacists can balance the benefits and risks of these medications. Further information from EAHP

Hospital pharmacists making the difference Provides insight into how to implement and monitor biosimilars for oncologic therapy, tackles specific issues relating to their optimum use in the hospital arena, and explains how to assess the financial impact on healthcare systems. Hospital pharmacists can play a key role in the use of biosimilars for cancer care if they have a good understanding of their development, regulatory approval processes, and clinical utility. Further information from EAHP Biosimilars in colorectal cancer – what’s your gut feeling? Outlines the key concepts and facts which support biosimilar approval in the EU and explains how to implement biosimilars of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of colorectal cancer. As new biosimilars for colorectal cancer are coming to the market, it is important for hospital pharmacists to be able to offer a scientific, unbiased perspective and act as key drivers in the implementation process in order to realise the significant opportunities for cost savings. Further information from EAHP Biosimilars – available yet sometimes missing: the challenge of procurement Tackles the challenges of switching from a reference biological medicine to a biosimilar, including safety and efficacy concerns, tendering procedures, and medicines shortages. Identifies the problems, shows examples, and discusses the way forward, so that the full potential of biosimilars as enablers of affordable innovation can be fulfilled, with maximum advantages for patients and healthcare providers. Further information from EAHP Biosimilars in breast cancer – the next challenge Biosimilars of targeted breast cancer biologic drugs will soon be introduced into the market, and it will be essential for hospital pharmacists to understand the key concepts in order to manage their implementation. This module gives pharmacists a better understanding of the biosimilar approval process in the EU, the role of biosimilars in reducing therapeutic cost in breast cancer, and how to work with other healthcare providers, stakeholders and patients to manage their implementation. Further information from EAHP

Procurement, tendering, and decision making processes in the hospital setting Outlines the role of the hospital pharmacist in procurement and tendering, which are essential for managing medication costs at national, regional and local hospital levels. However, price is not the only consideration; value-based tenders include other aspects such as continuity of supply, patient safety, environmental aspects, quality-based factors and innovative characteristics. Management and leadership Explores the differences between management and leadership, including topics such as strategic planning, efficiency, team building, process mapping, problem solving and also human factors, vision and buy-in, change management, motivating people and managing resistance. Introduces the use of established management tools that can be used for practical implementation of the principles discussed. Further information from EAHP

Facing Brexit and FMD – Is Europe ready for the double “storm”? Discusses how Brexit and the Falsified Medicines Directive will impact the supply of medicines and medicines policy in the EU. Considers what hospital pharmacists can do to prepare for these changes and identify new procedures to prevent the possible negative effects on access to medicines. Further information from EAHP Medicines shortages – Causation and approaches to improvements Elaborates on the factors that create or exacerbate medicines shortages around the world, and outlines how hospital pharmacists can collaborate with other stakeholders to detect, reduce and avoid shortages, taking into account strategic and quality issues along the medicines supply chain. Further information from EAHP

Qualitative research methods Describes what qualitative is, when it should be used, how to conduct it ethically, the different methods that can be employed and how their results can be analysed. Explains why this research methodology is important in the evaluation of complex interventions and services.

Therapeutic drug monitoring as a tool for therapy optimisation Explains how to use therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to optimise and individualise therapy. Presents practical advice on identifying drugs that are good candidates for TDM, appropriate indications for TDM, and understanding and interpreting drug concentrations. Emphasises the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach. Further information from EAHP