Projects

The “Informed Patient” Coalition is a civic initiative launched by the Institute for Social Policy Development. The Coalition was established in response to changes in EU pharmaceutical legislation that allow paper package leaflets to be replaced entirely by their electronic equivalents—electronic product information (ePI)—while introducing a Print on Demand model. The full digitalisation of information on medicines could exclude millions of patients from access to essential information required for the safe use of medicinal products.

The Coalition aims to promote an informed, evidence-based debate on patients’ access to safe and reliable information and to develop recommendations ensuring equal access to information on medicines for all citizens, regardless of their age, place of residence or digital skills. Particular attention is given to the needs of older people, patients with chronic conditions, residents of less urbanised areas and people with disabilities.

The Coalition’s activities focus in particular on:

• retaining the paper package leaflet as a mandatory element of every medicinal product package;
• implementing a hybrid model in which electronic product information complements, rather than replaces, the paper leaflet;
• conducting broad public consultations before introducing legislative changes concerning information on medicines;
• improving the readability and comprehensibility of package leaflets by simplifying the language, enhancing legibility and using universally understood graphic symbols;
• promoting solutions that ensure access to information on medicines during emergencies and strengthen the resilience of healthcare systems to disruptions in digital infrastructure.

According to the Coalition’s members, a complementary model—combining the traditional paper leaflet with access to electronic product information—best addresses both the need to digitalise healthcare and patients’ right to universal, safe and independent access to information on medicines.

The “Informed Patient” Coalition remains open to cooperation with public authorities, medical professionals, patient organisations and experts. Its objective is to participate actively in consultations on the implementation of new pharmaceutical regulations and to develop solutions that safeguard patient safety and preserve equal access to information on medicinal products.

Members of the “Informed Patient” Coalition for Patient Information Security include:

– the Institute for Social Policy Development and representatives of the Scientific Council of the Institute;

– the “Polish Pharmacy” Chamber of Commerce;

– the College of Family Physicians in Poland;

– the Polish Association of Pensioners and Retired Persons;

– the Supreme Council of Nurses and Midwives;

– the National Alliance of Universities of the Third Age;

– the University of the Third Age at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics;

– the Polish Communication Association;

– the MANKO Association – Senior Voice.