Sinteco is proud to announce its participation in the Special Interest Group (SIG) on interoperability in automation promoted by the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP). This group represents a crucial step towards the standardization and integration of automation technologies in hospital pharmacies, aiming to improve drug management and patient safety across Europe.
The interoperability SIG brings together up to 20 members, equally divided between healthcare professionals and technology providers. This collaborative approach aims to create systems capable of operating and integrating uniformly regardless of the equipment manufacturers or software used. Such neutrality will allow hospital pharmacies to adopt a mix of technologies from different suppliers, ensuring flexibility and efficiency without constraints related to proprietary solutions.
A new standard for hospital pharmacy automation
The initiative is inspired by the successful DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) model, the standard developed for interoperability in medical imaging. Similarly, the SIG will work on creating a standard communication protocol for the integration of pharmacy automation equipment, aiming to overcome one of the main barriers to adopting these technologies.
Despite the proven benefits of automation in pharmacy operations management and error reduction, less than 30% of European hospital pharmacies are currently equipped with fully or partially automated systems. Consequently, many still rely on manual and analog processes, which are resource-intensive and prone to errors. Interoperability between automation equipment would remove one of the main barriers to a broader adoption of these technologies.
Timeline and objectives
The SIG was officially launched during the EAHP Boost 2024 event and will continue its work until 2026, culminating in a practical demonstration event (Connectathon) to be held at EAHP Boost 2025 and the EAHP Congress scheduled for March 2026. The goal is to develop and bring to market a standard communication protocol that simplifies the integration of automation equipment, reducing costs and increasing accessibility for hospital pharmacies.
Sinteco's commitment
Sinteco's participation in this project demonstrates our commitment to promoting innovative and sustainable solutions in hospital automation. Collaborating with leading hospital pharmacists and other industry leaders will allow us to actively contribute to the development of shared standards, enhancing efficiency and safety in drug management.
Working towards interoperability is a complex challenge, but it is crucial for the future of hospital pharmacies in Europe. With this step, Sinteco reaffirms its role as a strategic partner for innovation and digital transformation in the healthcare sector.
