MLPS Press Launch, twenty first February 2024
MLPS (Medical Leaflet = Affected person Security), a subgroup of the European Carton Producers Affiliation (ECMA), is releasing a research immediately, shedding gentle on the potential financial prices related to the proposed use of Print on Demand (PoD) leaflets within the pharmaceutical laws revision. With the European Fee’s proposal permitting international locations to determine on the format of medical leaflets, MLPS underscores the need of understanding the monetary implications of this determination.
The research, commissioned by MLPS, addresses a vital query left unresolved within the proposed Directive: the large whole price implications of implementing PoD leaflets alongside digital Product Info (ePI). The research’s conservative quantification offers stakeholders with beneficial insights into the financial impacts of PoD leaflets. The estimated whole price of PoD leaflets throughout Europe-27 ranges from €1.680 billion to €3.495 billion yearly, relying on whether or not leaflets are printed in black or four-color ink. It’s unclear who will bear these prices, that are at the moment borne by the pharma trade.
The calculation of the unit price per PoD leaflet consists of a number of key elements required for pharmacies to offer PoD, together with paper, ink, printers’ depreciation, labor prices, and bearing in mind present digital abilities and the variety of pharmacies throughout the EU. The research demonstrates the fee impression of PoD is 2 to three occasions bigger than the present whole price for medical data leaflets.
“In our dedication to affected person security and accessibility to essential medical data, it’s crucial to totally perceive the monetary implications surrounding a proposed legislative change reminiscent of eradicating paper leaflets,” acknowledged Mike Turner, Managing Director of MLPS. “This research underscores the necessity for a complete consideration of all components (social, financial and environmental) concerned within the transition to the digitalisation of leaflets and print-on-demand codecs; we hope the report will allow an understanding of the implications of PoD to pharmacists, pharmacies and sufferers.”
The report additional exhibits how the older inhabitants shall be disproportionately affected by the removing of paper leaflets, as over 50% of dosages are consumed by folks aged over 65. Citing the European Fee’s Digital Economic system and Society Index[1], the report illustrates that this phase of the inhabitants has the bottom stage of digital abilities, particularly in Jap European international locations. Subsequently, PoD will nonetheless end in a big variety of paper leaflets being requested by sufferers.
MLPS emphasizes the necessity to handle the impression of PoD beginning with its monetary facet, elevating questions on how completely different Member States will implement PoD in observe, and who will bear these prices.
- https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/insurance policies/desi
