Why is EAHP creating a CTF?

The overriding motivation for creating the common training framework (CTF) for hospital pharmacy specialisation is “to enhance the quality of, safety of, and equity of access to, patient care in every European country”. Underlining this motivation are five key benefits that highlight why a CTF is so important for EAHP and its members. These include the patient benefit, improving labour mobility and the benefits that arise from that, a benchmark for all European countries to strive for, a vital strategic tool for realising the European Statements of Hospital Pharmacy.

What is CTF?

The Common Training Framework (CTF) is a legal tool to achieve automatic professional qualification recognition across EU countries, meaning that learning outcomes and competencies received in one European country are recognised throughout Europe.

Who developed the final framework?

EAHP has developed its final framework via a large working group that gathered hospital pharmacists from across Europe, and took strides to ensure that the current legal provisions in different countries were well accounted for, including references to Pharmine initiative and existing programmes.

This draft framework was reviewed through a Delphi Consultation which consisted in a diverse group of stakeholders, that included hospital pharmacists, other healthcare professionals, patients/ representatives of patient organisations and regulatory bodies discussing in detail each provision. The input provided by the different stakeholders was used to finalise the draft competency framework.

Do European hospital pharmacists support CTF?

85% of hospital pharmacists and heads of hospital pharmacy that participated in the EAHP mobility survey would support the creation of a common training framework for the hospital pharmacy specialisation. According to hospital pharmacists, the main benefits gained by creating a new tool for automatic recognition of the hospital pharmacy specialisation across borders would be: professional development, facilitation of exchange of expertise, standardisation in the quality of education and increased mobility opportunities.  Thus, EAHP believes that the establishment of a CTF will help in advancing towards more modern and safer hospital pharmacy services.

Are national pharmacy organisations on board with CTF?

EAHP represents more than 22.000 hospital pharmacists in 35 European countries and is the only association of national organisations representing hospital pharmacists at European and international levels.  Our national members gave us the mandate to move forward with the CTF project during the 47th General Assembly in Malta (June 2017).

Does CTF mean that all national programmes will need to be taught in the same amount of years?

 No, the Competency framework is looking to teach the same competences (or most of them) within the countries with CTF but the amount of years needed to become a hospital pharmacy is a national prerogative.

Is the framework going to lower the standards of national hospital pharmacy specialisations?

Mobility is an important outcome of implementing CTF. Since mobility of national hospital pharmacists around Europe will facilitate the exchange of knowledge among hospitals will help advance and innovate procedures. Thus, EAHP believe that CTF will help to advance towards more modern and safer hospital pharmacy services.

Is EAHP involving national competent authorities during the process?

This framework will not come into legal existence without competent authority support. The long-term management of the CTF is currently open for discussion, and could include active competent authority roles. EAHP and its member country associations are currently approaching competent authorities to introduce CTF.

How can I learn more about CTF?

Just send us an email at info@eahp.eu with your questions and we will contact you as soon as possible.