Leveraging the European Health Data Space (EHDS): Unleashing the Potential of Online Pharmacies for patients.
The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving with the advent of technology and digital solutions. Among the innovations driving this transformation is the European Health Data Space (EHDS), an ambitious initiative aimed at facilitating secure, seamless, and ethical health primary and secondary data exchange across the European Union. For online pharmacies, the EHDS represents a game-changing opportunity to enhance their services, improve patient outcomes, and revolutionise the delivery of healthcare. The draft proposal is, after it was published on 3 May 2022, still under negotiation by the European Parliament and the Council. In this article, we will explore the various benefits of the EHDS for online pharmacies and how it can propel them to the forefront of patient-centric care.
Access to data for better decision-making
Should online pharmacies be eventually recognised as full under the EHDS, then they will, just like any other healthcare provider like doctors and health insurers, gain access to comprehensive patient history (real-time patient data) from across the EU which will flow seamlessly via the MyHealth@EU infrastructure[1]. This data includes electronic health records, medical histories, treatment plans, and electronic prescriptions, all of which play a crucial role in ensuring accurate and safe dispensation of medications. Armed with this wealth of information, healthcare providers can make better-informed decisions, offer personalised recommendations, and identify potential drug interactions or allergies, thus mitigating adverse events and improving patient safety. Currently, due to national restrictions, online pharmacies can barely access medication plans to make fully informed decisions. With the implementation of the EHDS across EU Member States, this should soon change.
Sharing data means interoperability
Perhaps the biggest buzzword and most difficult part of the EHDS: interoperability. The EHDS should foster interoperability among various health systems and platforms, enabling online pharmacies to seamlessly integrate patient data with their existing systems. This interoperability not only saves time and resources – e.g. breaking language and system barriers – but also enhances medication management. With access to up-to-date medical information, online pharmacies can ensure patients receive the right medications at the right dosages, thereby improving adherence and treatment outcomes. Although on paper this sounds fantastic, in practice we know from experience this is easier said than done: in many EU Member States, data are being stored at the local, regional, federal, national level without any form of communication between these levels. Now, imagine a unique, single system build for all 27 EU Member States, where healthcare providers can operate seamlessly. In all honesty, it is expected to take some time before this system is up and running.
Conclusion
The EHDS holds immense potential for online pharmacies and their patients, a message which is clearly conveyed by our European Association of E-Pharmacies (EAEP) in Brussels. It is imperative that online pharmacies are recognised properly and the right infrastructures are built in which they can participate, to ensure the highest standards of safety. The coming months, both the Council and the European Parliament are expected to finally vote on the EHDS, with foreseeable implementation in 2025 or 2026.
