The IPU contributed to the development of a feasibility study for electronic dissemination of Direct Healthcare Professional Communications (eDHPCs), which will commence during quarter one 2025.

DHPCs, also known as ‘Dear Doctor’ letters, are currently disseminated in hard copy to the postal address of each intended recipient, for example, pharmacists. The Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA) requires that Marketing Authorisation Holders (MAHs) do this.

The feasibility study has been developed by the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) and Alliance of Medicines for Ireland CLG (MFI), whose members represent MAHs. Contributions have also been made by the Hospital Pharmacist Association of Ireland, the HPRA and the PSI.

Pharmacists will receive five DHPCs via two methods: hard copy via post (DHPC) and electronic via email (eDHPC) as part of this study, which will be followed up with a survey. The survey aims to establish pharmacists’ preferences regarding DHPC distribution and the level of satisfaction with the two methods.

The results of the survey will be reviewed by the HPRA and it will be the HPRA that will ultimately determine which method will best serve the requirements of pharmacists and patients, using the information provided in the responses to the survey.

For further information on DHPCs please see the HPRA Guide for Marketing Authorisation Holders on Direct Healthcare Professional Communications and the European Medicines Agency’s Guidance on DHPCs (available at ema.europa.ie). It is the HPRA that determines whether a DHPC is required and when one should be sent, so the exact timelines of the feasibility study cannot be provided. The IPU encourages members to have their voice heard on their preferred method of DHPC distribution by completing the surveys.