Healthcare professionals communication

In the case of a recall arising from a defect in a product manufactured or prepared outside the pharmacy, in some Countries, a Direct Healthcare Professional Communication (DHPC) will be received. In most cases it is the EMA or the national Competent Authority who initiate a DHPC but it is sent under the responsibility of the manufacturer itself. 

Servier, Sumpter M. Direct healthcare professional communication. On the risk of hepatotoxicity with agomelatine (valdoxan/thymanax). October 14,2013. Available at http //www.servier.co.Uk/pdfs/direct-healthcare-professional-communication.pdfhttp //www.servier.com /sites/default/files/DHPC%20agomelatine.pdf. [accessed 01.04.14]. 

Many people who have experienced anaphylaxis in the community and are therefore at risk for recurrence have never received a prescription for an epinephrine autoinjector from an emergency department physician [38, 39] or from their primary care physician. Some of those who have received a prescription for an epinephrine autoinjector do not follow through and get it filled [40]. Even if they do get the epinephrine autoinjector dispensed, they may fail to carry it with them at all times [41]. Adherence to instructions to carry epinephrine can be improved with regular input from a healthcare professional [42] however, healthcare professionals need to master the complexities of epinephrine autoinjector use [43] before instructing others. People who have survived a mild anaphylaxis episode that was not treated at all, or was treated only with an antihistamine or an asthma puffer, sometimes fail to inject epinephrine because they erroneously assume that their subsequent reactions will also be mild [44]. 

Technology—involve pharmaceutical companies and distributors to develop innovative solutions, such as radiofrequency identification (RFID) to track movements of drugs, tamper-proof packaging to deter tampering, and printing technologies aimed at end user compliance Risk communication—IMPACT to develop and coordinate effective mechanisms to alert and respond to counterfeit drug activities inform and educate users and healthcare professionals to be alert and report suspicious cases... 

Communication with healthcare professionals and the general public is essential to promoting safe and effective use of medicines. Legislation is in place in the European Union to ensure not only that these avenues of communications are not abused but also to impose appropriate penalties when the legislative code is breached. 

Are not false or misleading in any respect. For a prescription drug, this would include communicating that the advertised product is available only by prescription and that only a prescribing healthcare professional can decide whether the product is appropriate for a patient. 

In a private letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officers of Rx D s member firms, the Rx D president stated "It is my obligation to inform you of a serious situation regarding one of our member companies, and of the industry as a whole, as a result of repeated non-compliance with the code of conduct. AstraZeneca Canada Inc. has reached an unprecedented number of infractions recorded in a second consecutive 12-month period" (Blackwell 2005). The company was put on six months probation and an Rx D spokesperson later stated that if it did violate the code again while on probation, it could be expelled. The organization also ordered AstraZeneca to communicate the action to healthcare professionals involved in the infractions and requested its CEO to appear before the Rx D s board. No such measures have ever been taken before according to an Rx D spokesperson (Blackwell 2005). 

The increased use of the Internet in recent years as a means of communicating information on drugs and medical devices has provided considerable benefits to the healthcare industry. The Internet offers many possibilities in terms of graphic representation of data and the ability to publish information to a wider audience at a faster speed than by the use of traditional marketing channels. The overriding compliance consideration, however, is the accurate transmission of information to the reader, whether the reader is a member of the public or a pharmaceutical or healthcare professional. 

A medication error is any preventable event that may-cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm, while the medication is in the control ofthe healthcare professional, patient, or consumer. Such events may be related to professional practice, healthcare products, procedures, and systems including prescribing order communication product labeling, packaging, and nomenclature compounding dispensing distribution administration education -monitoring and use. 

Because pharmacists and pharmacy technicians communicate with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals on a regular basis, communication skills are an essential part of any pharmacist s or pharmacy technician s skill set. 

While most of the day-to-day communication will be with patients, there will also be times when pharmacists and pharmacy technicians communicate with prescribers and other healthcare professionals. 

Healthcare professionals may request literature on subjects not covered by the PI such as non-approved indications. Although it is not acceptable routinely to disseminate such literature where unsolicited, it is acceptable to provide such information on individual request, provided that the literature or accompanying communication clearly identifies that it refers to a product or indication not approved in Australia. If the product is approved in Australia, the Australian approved PI must accompany it. 

Email enquiries A website may invite electronic mail communications from healthcare professionals and patients or the general public seeking further information about the company s products or other matters (e.g. feedback with regard to the website). The company may reply to such communications in the same manner as it would reply to enquiries received by post, telephone or other media. In communications with patients or members of the general public, discussion of personal medical matters must be avoided. If personal medical information is revealed, it must be held in confidence. Where appropriate, replies shall recommend that a healthcare professional be consulted for further information. 

To communicate broadly and to educate healthcare professionals and the public about the nature of medication errors, how to prevent them, and how to manage errors that do occur. 

Facilitating and encouraging communications among the research community, healthcare professionals, governmental, educational groups, the media, and the general public. 

The primary responsibility of any medical information department is the provision of product-specific information to healthcare professionals and/or consumers in response to specific inquiries. If a response to a question involves information outside the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved package insert/labeling, the information is considered to be off label, and several factors limit the way in which information is communicated to the customer. 

Patient education is a broad term that describes the process through which healthcare professionals attempt to increase patient knowledge of healthcare issues. Patient education can occur in a variety of environments from hospitals and long-term care institutions to physicians offices, community pharmacies, and other ambulatory care facilities. Patient education may be verbal or written, performed on an individual basis or in groups, and provided directly to the patient or caregiver. Although there are many different types of patient education, the process uses basic communication and educational techniques to achieve its goals of better health and improved health outcomes. 

The process of pharmacovigilence requires the contribution of many healthcare professionals in industry, government, and clinical practice. With improved harmonization, more sophisticated analysis tools, and clearer communication, more patients will be able to realize the benefits of drug therapy while minimizing the attendant risks. 

This chapter will highlight basic biomedical knowledge that is essential for understanding the use of medication and the role it plays in the psychosocial intervention. Fundamental issues about the brain and the nervous system are also discussed in a practical manner that is relevant to social work. In this chapter, we advocate that all healthcare professionals learn how to communicate effectively with clients who are taking prescribed medications (FDA Consumer, 1997). 

Pharmacoecon om ics Phase III and IV studies Competitive intelligence Liaison with healthcare professionals Medical communications... 

---