Benefits and challenges of electronic package leaflet (ePL) - review of ePL pilots in hospital settings in Europe | JoVE Visualize

Benefits and challenges of electronic package leaflet (ePL) - review of ePL pilots in hospital settings in Europe

Camilla Skogman-Lindqvist¹, Outi Lapatto-Reiniluoto², Mari Sirviö³

¹Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland; Novartis Finland Oy, Finland.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences : Official Journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences|October 11, 2023

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Electronic package leaflets (ePL) offer a sustainable alternative to paper leaflets in the EU. Replacing paper with ePL improves accessibility, reduces waste, and enhances drug safety through readily available, updated information.

Area of Science:

Pharmaceutical Sciences
Health Informatics
Regulatory Affairs

Background:

Paper package leaflets are a legal requirement in the European Union (EU), limiting the adoption of electronic package leaflets (ePL).
ePL presents a more sustainable and accessible method for delivering medicinal product information compared to traditional paper formats.

Approach:

This commentary reviews ongoing ePL pilot programs in European hospital settings.
The review identifies key benefits and challenges associated with the implementation of ePL.

Key Points:

Widespread support exists for eliminating paper leaflets in hospitals, citing sustainability benefits like reduced production and material usage.
ePL facilitates the development of common packaging across EU countries, potentially decreasing pharmaceutical waste and drug shortages.
Electronic availability of up-to-date product information is a significant advantage for both the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals, particularly for drug safety.

Conclusions:

Transitioning to ePL-only formats in European hospitals is broadly supported.
ePL offers significant environmental and logistical advantages, contributing to sustainability and addressing drug availability issues.
Enhanced accessibility and real-time updates of product information via ePL are crucial for improving drug safety and healthcare professional comprehension.