includes PharmaHelp ® , an IV compounder that
facilitates the semi-automated production of
oncology medications. PharmaHelp ® is a GMP-
compliant compounding device, which has been
developed by compounding experts to meet the
needs of pharmacists in the automated production
of oncology medications in hospital pharmacies
and compounding centres. This semi-automated
oncology compounding device does not only
ensure accurate dosing and contamination-free
products, but is also simple to install and operate.
Moreover, investment, running, and maintenance
are extremely economical. Being a symbol of true
simplicity, high versatility, unique quality, and
cost-effectiveness, PharmaHelp ® enables pharmacists
to achieve better therapeutic outcomes for their
patients.
Compounding, an ever present interest
Safety, quality and efficiency were also the take-home
messages of the symposia, seminars and workshops
carefully chosen by the EAHP Organizing and
Scientific Committee in order to meet the theme
of the congress: “Hospital Pharmacists – Show us
what you can do!” The theme encompassed the
relevance of daily challenges related to economic
restrictions and increased demands for delivery
that hospital pharmacists have to deal with on
a regular basis.
Biosimilars, the hot topic of two of the four
Synergy satellite sessions, are considered to be
a subject that requires continuous learning in our
ever-changing world. Nevertheless, it should not
be forgotten that most biosimilars still need to
be compounded and therefore, such high-value
innovations in the pharmacy sector will consolidate
the requirement for this type of preparation. Next to
manual compounding, however, there is an obvious
interest in automation. Needless to say, symposia
that covered the benefits of automation were well
attended, which proves that hospital pharmacists
search for responses to their questions whether
automation in compounding is unavoidable or not.
Compounding of PN was discussed during
the satellite symposium sponsored by Fresenius
Kabi, and chaired by Jasdeep Singh. The speakers,
Professor David Berlana, Professor Olivier Bourdon,
and Sarah Zerashi, presented the pros and cons of
all current practices in PN compounding, including
automation. “Knowing that every compounding
pharmacy or specialised centre is a unique case, to
assess whether it is beneficial to use standardised
multi-chamber bags, and to outsource or to
compound in-house, is a tailor-made decision,” said
Jasdeep Singh. “It is important, however, to back-
It is not just about
a particular
product or device,
but also about
forward thinking
in compounding
up each of these possibilities in case of any failure,
as what matters the most is to secure the patient
supply,” he concluded.
Fresenius Kabi is proud to offer the support in
all three mentioned practices with its portfolio of
standardised multi-chamber bags, and outsourcing
services, as well as its new KabiHelp ® compounder,
standing for in-house compounding (Fresenius Kabi
portfolio is country dependent).
Think outside the pharmacy
Despite the fact that each EAHP congress introduces
many innovations that drive hospital pharmacy
forwards, some gaps that slow down the sustainable
development of this field have been found. While
the gap in care and quality requires new clinical care
standards, there is another limitation that requires
more than just ‘bringing something new’. The gap
in public awareness of increased pharmacy services,
including the role of compounding, requires a
change in thinking. There is a lack of understanding
of importance of compounding, which is a unique,
patient-specific service that will always have a place
alongside industrial manufacturing processes.
As dedicated key opinion leaders attest, there is
a need to market the hospital pharmacy profession
by seeking partnerships that help drive professional,
clinical and strategic steps forward. And Fresenius
Kabi is there to support you on this pathway towards
a better tomorrow in health care.
About Fresenius Kabi
Fresenius Kabi is a global healthcare company that specialises in lifesaving
medicines and technologies for infusion, transfusion, and clinical nutrition.
Fresenius Kabi is driven by the philosophy ‘caring for life’, and always continues
to shape the future of healthcare in providing products and services that are used
to help chronically and critically ill patients in hospitals and outpatient care all
around the globe, and to improve their quality of life. To achieve and maintain this
goal in future, it is essential to preserve a constant focus on improvements and
new developments of high-quality and affordable products.
Fresenius Kabi is committed to being a full service partner, with not only its
broad expertise but also a full-range and most comprehensive product portfolio for
core therapeutic areas including enteral and parenteral nutrition products, generic
drugs, standard solutions, medical devices, and automated compounders.
Most of the products and devices presented at the company’s booth at
EAHP 2018 distinguished as always Fresenius Kabi from its competitors in the
compounding field through offering a complete toolbox of pragmatic solutions
developed by internal experts for meeting as fully as possible the specific needs of
all the compounding pharmacists.
It is not just about a particular product or device, but also about forward
thinking in compounding.
hospitalpharmacyeurope.com | 2018 | Issue 90 | 41