Lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic: results of EAHP survey on the future crisis preparedness of hospital pharmacies

Abstract

Aim The present survey aimed to collect information on the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic by hospital pharmacists. It focused on the shortages of health goods and the experiences of hospitals during the first phase of the crisis. Methods A 17-question survey was conducted by EAHP, looking at the experiences of hospital pharmacists during the COVD-19 pandemic. The survey ran from 16 September to 23 December 2020. Statistical analysis included backward stepwise logistic regression (BSLR), Pearson's χ 2 test, t-test and one-way ANOVA, as appropriate; p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results 1466 hospital pharmacists answered the survey fully. 58%, 63% and 69% of them experienced shortages in medicines, disinfectants and personal protective equipment (PPE), respectively. BSLR showed that being a COVID-19 dedicated hospital increased the risk of medicine shortages (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.31) but the shortages of disinfectants and PPE were lower (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.88; OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.85). Being a specialised hospital reduced the odds of medicine shortages (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.88), while countries with a greater percentage of the population infected had increased odds for all three types of shortages (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.23; OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.50; OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.35). The odds were also higher in answers submitted in September compared with December. The classes of medicines with highest reported shortages were anaesthetics, antibiotics and muscle relaxants. The main entities that provided support were the national competent authorities and manufacturers. Conclusion Medicine shortages affected the work of hospital pharmacists during the early stages of the pandemic. The features of the crisis and the feedback described in this survey can provide interesting insights for a more resilient healthcare framework in the future.

Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance

“…Shortages of antimicrobial drugs compromise their prudent use and must be avoided. Surveys conducted by EAHP in 201932 and 202033 showed that antibiotics ranked among the top three medicinal product shortages. Measures need to be taken by countries, including national governments, the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare professionals, patients as well as other stakeholders at the pan-European level, to lower the risk of antibiotic shortages, especially since substitution supported by the AMS team is not always possible.…”

Investigation of the hospital pharmacy profession in Europe

“…Consequently, EC identified AMR as one of the top three public health threats in the European Union 4. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 69% of 1466 hospital pharmacists experienced the most significant shortages in personal protective equipment, indicating healthcare systems’ responsibility for the extensive environmental waste and contamination that contribute to climate change 5 6. Moreover, the new medicine verification system of implementation as part of the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) that most affected pharmacists was established in the same year COVID-19 started 7.…”

Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Enveloped and Non-Enveloped Viruses with Non-Thermal Plasma for Hospital Disinfection

“…This includes low-level disinfectants that can destroy bacteria and some viruses, but not bacterial spores (e.g., sodium hypochlorite) and high-level disinfectants that can also kill bacterial spores (e.g., ethylene oxide and chlorine dioxide) . Furthermore, shortages of these chemicals have become an issue in times of high demand, as experienced by hospitals during the pandemic . The use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to inactivate pathogens has been an attractive alternative, but only surfaces exposed to the path of the UV light can be disinfected .…”

“… 11 Furthermore, shortages of these chemicals have become an issue in times of high demand, as experienced by hospitals during the pandemic. 12 The use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to inactivate pathogens has been an attractive alternative, but only surfaces exposed to the path of the UV light can be disinfected. 13 The environmental and economic impact of healthcare waste evidenced by the pandemic has encouraged the search for alternative easy-to-use, efficient disinfection techniques.…”