Organised by FIP’s Hospital Pharmacy Section, in collaboration with the FIP SIG on Translational Research and Precision Medicine
Medical devices, like medicines and other health technologies, are essential for patient care — at the bedside, at the rural health clinic or at the large, specialised hospital. With innovation and the rapid advancement of technologies, medical devices are currently one of the fastest growing industries. Pharmacists hold a unique skill set and use their skills to help patients manage their medication for optimal outcomes. Like other healthcare professionals, pharmacists are often required to deliver highly-technical language to patients in a manner that they understand. This applies both to medicines and medical devices, many of which are sold in pharmacies. However, unlike other healthcare professionals, pharmacists are also often responsible for assessing and evaluating the appropriate use of medicines based on their efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness, through formulary management in hospitals. These same skills are readily transferable to the review of other health technologies, particularly interventional procedures and devices, as their study design and outcome measures are similar to those used for pharmacological interventions.
In addition, pharmacists’ ability to review the evidence surrounding interventions and their knowledge of procurement, distribution and clinical monitoring process, as well as financial realities associated with new technologies, makes them well suited to conducted health technology assessments (HTAs) in their local institutions. This is particularly important where national HTAs are not conducted. Furthermore, for countries that conduct HTAs on innovative technology, local review over time (after initial marketing) is still critical to respond to technological obsolescence requiring replacement, further highlighting the important role pharmacists could serve in this area.
14:30 – 14:35 Introduction by the chairs
15:50 – 16:10 Coffee/tea break
17:20 – 17:25 Conclusion by the chairs
17:25 – 17:30 Room refresh
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Type of session: Knowledge-based