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Updated: Dec 8, 97 |
TESEMED | |
| Telematic systems in community pharmacies for responsible self-medication |
| Project Nr: | HC 1114 | Group: VI | Project Duration: 36 months |
| Key words: | |||
| Category: | Education in Self-administered Medication | ||
| Summary: | Multimedia interactive information systems in Community pharmacies to support responsible self-medication, in line with national and European policies and recommendations. | ||
| Mission: | The aim of TESEMED is to explore the application of telematics systems to provide community pharmacy users and professionals with information and education on self-administered medicines. Two prototypes are planned: one on pharmaceutical care protocols to be used by pharmacy professionals, and another one directly addressed to the community pharmacy users. These applications will run on stand-alone systems, and will be disseminated and updated through Internet World-Wide-Web solutions and other telematics means. The project involves the participation of the European organisations of pharmacists and OTC manufacturers. Links with consumer associations and civic health interest groups are also envisaged. National policies on self-medication will be analyzed and taken into account. | ||
| URL: | dis.sema.es/projects/TESEMED | ||
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| Name of Institution | City+Postal Code | Country | Region |
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| Pharmaceutical Group of the EU | B-1040 Brussels | Belgium | BE1 |
| European Proprietary Medicines Manufacture's Association (AESGP) | B-1040 Brussels | Belgium | BE1 |
| SEMA Group SAE | E-28037 Madrid | Spain | ES3 |
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Responsible self-medication is a key element in modern societies with respect to health policies. In the European Union many national Ministries of Health have recognised its importance, launching information campaigns and publishing materials intended to assist the citizens in a correct utilisation of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Those policies and programmes are endorsed by international bodies, like the World Health Organization, that has consistently supported responsible self-medication. The EU institutions, through its various bodies and policy actions, has also endorsed the above. The European Commission, in a statement adopted on 1 Jun 1994 declares that "...Pharmacists have a key role to play in providing assistance, advice and information to the public about self-medication products...".
On the eve of the Information Society, Europe will take benefit from the information highways, facilitating also by electronic means, consumers' access to relevant information and advice on medicines. Medical practitioners and pharmacists, together with the involved industries can and will play an allied role to support and help the public in this respect. The current trends towards self-medication should be accompanied by the strengthening of information measures. Community pharmacies (there are more than 106,000 in the European Union), have a key role to play in providing assistance, advise and information to the public about self-medication products and the circumstances in which a doctor should be consulted. To help the pharmacies to play this role they will require specially-tailored information material and appropriate training. The aim of TESEMED is to explore the current trends in Europe with respect to responsible self-medication, and the prospects for the application of telematics and information kiosks to provide community pharmacies and professionals with information and education on responsible self-medication. The project involves the participation of the European Association of Pharmacists and the European Proprietary Medicines Manufacture's Association (AESGP). Links with consumers groups and associations concerned with the citizen's interests in health matters, are also foreseen. National policies on self-medication will be analysed. Available material produced in European countries, including official publications from health ministries and others, will be collected and considered as possible basis for computerised multimedia information systems. Two prototypes are planned: one on pharmaceutical care protocols to be used by pharmacy professionals and another one on information and education on self-medication addressed to the community pharmacy users. These applications will run on information kiosks, and will be disseminated and updated through Internet World-Wide-Web solutions and other telematics means.
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Users involved Community pharmacy users and professionals. The European Association of Pharmacists (Pharmaceutical Group of the European Community-PGEC), is a partner of the project and will ensure through its constituency of 15 national associations the exchange of information in all directions. Technologies and/or approach used Multimedia applications running in stand alone personal computers and information kiosks. Touch screen in applications for community pharmacy users. Dissemination and update using Internet facilities, including open and restricted World-Wide-Web services. Expected benefits for the citizen Better information and education on responsible self-medication by means of information delivery platforms quality-proofed by professional, governmental and industrial authorities. All the above resulting in a better, quicker, and effective alleviation of minor ailments that affect the quality of life and performance of people. Expected benefits for the users of the application The applications addressed to the pharmacy professionals will enhance their information and training to act as self-medication advisors. Reinforcement of the role of the pharmacist as health-agent, overcoming his shortage of available time to devote to clients. Expected benefits for the European Industries The OTC European Industries have a prominent role in international economy that must be preserve and reinforced, maintaining and creating new jobs and wealth. There are 106,000 community pharmacies in the European Union, which constitutes an important market for multimedia kiosks and telematics services. Contribution to EU-policies The project has the potential to contribute to EU policies in all of the following domains: single market and industrial policies in the pharma sector and in the information technologies and telecommunications sector; health protection and promotion (health education); consumers rights and consumers protection. |
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