Generic, biosimilar and value added medicines industry call for transition to digital-first communications to improve environmental impact and end wasteful duplication of resources
Medicines for Ireland (MFI) recently highlighted the urgent need for transition to digital-first communication with healthcare professionals to reduce inefficiencies, environmental impact, and rising costs. Under the current paper- based system, pharmaceutical manufacturers are mandated to print and distribute safety information separately, even when multiple companies are providing the same information for the same medicine.
This is resulting in thousands of printed materials being sent to healthcare professionals, much of which is redundant. Data provided by 75 per cent of MFI members shows they were required to print over 1.2 million pages or 6.3 metric tonnes of safety communications in the past three years. The cost of this amounted to more than €700,000 to print, store and distribute.
Digital solutions
Chair of Medicines for Ireland, Mr Paul Neill, emphasised the scale of waste caused by the current system ahead of MFI’s ‘Digital Solutions for a Greener Industry’ event recently. Commenting, Mr Neill said: “Very often when a generic or biosimilar medicine is launched, multiple pharmaceutical companies are required to send the same printed safety communication to the same healthcare professionals. The only differentiating factor is the logo at the top of the page. This duplication is inefficient, environmentally damaging, and unnecessary in an era where digital alternatives are available.
“There is a real opportunity to drive innovation within the Irish healthcare system through enhanced use of digital communications. This is being realised is other European countries like the Netherlands where the policy for sending direct healthcare professional communications (DHPC) and recall letters has shifted towards digital. The Dutch hybrid system allows for important risk communications to be delivered quickly via email to healthcare providers, while those without a registered email address continue to receive them by post. The Swedish Medicines Agency has also introduced a similar pilot study where important drug information is sent to the digital mailboxes of concerned prescribers.”
Supports
“Without a clear pathway to digital communications between industry and healthcare professionals in Ireland, we risk falling behind in our ability to communicate critical safety information efficiently and effectively. As a first step, we must consider how the advancements and learnings from our European neighbours can be replicated, complementing the ambition around digital connectivity across the wider Irish healthcare system,” Mr Neill added.
MFI’s ‘Digital Solutions for a Greener Industry’ event brought together experts and representatives from across the healthcare sector to explore the benefits, opportunities, and challenges of transitioning to a digital-first model. Hosted in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin 2, attendees will hear perspectives from the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU), and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Outdated systems
Highlighting the advantages, Vice Chair of Medicines for Ireland, Deirdre Kelly, said: “The way we communicate has changed dramatically, particularly since the pandemic, yet our sector remains heavily reliant on outdated systems that have not kept pace with technological advancements. Other European countries have successfully adopted digital-first safety communications without compromising patient safety. Ireland must modernise its approach to align with best practices and reduce unnecessary waste.
“There are many examples of advancements in utilising the use of technology within the Irish health sector in recent years. We have recently seen the launch of the HSE patient app and a successful pilot of electronic health records for patients with a commitment to introduce EHRs across the system in the Digital Health Strategy. All of these are to be welcomed and commended. Our members are very much committed to working in partnership with all stakeholders involved to ensure a pathway to achieving the benefits of digital-first communications between industry and healthcare professionals are found.”
For more information about Medicines for Ireland and the conference, visit www.medicinesforireland.ie.
