Rational use of medicines is promoted through the activities of the National Medicines Information Network

Fimea is responsible for the long-term planning and coordination of national medicines information practices. The activities are guided by the National Medicines Information Strategy, which is currently being updated in cooperation with stakeholders for the new strategy period 2021–2026. At the same time, the process of updating Fimea's own strategy has begun.

The National Medicines Information Strategy is implemented by the National Medicines Information Network, which is one of the largest pharmaceutical networks in Finland. The message from the stakeholders during the strategy update process has been that there is a strong desire to continue the activities of the Medicines Information Network during the new strategy period.

Fimea waives the responsibility for coordinating and organising the annual National Medicines Day

National Medicines Day has been organised eight times. Initially set up by Paula Risikko, the Minister for Social Affairs and Health, Fimea has been responsible for the coordination and organisation of National Medicines Day. Fimea has decided to give up this responsibility after spring 2020.

The rationale for the waiver is to promote rational use of medicines by channelling stakeholder collaboration, primarily through the activities of the National Medicines Information Network. The responsibility for coordinating and organising National Medicines Day has required a lot of resources, and stakeholder participation in the local events of the annual theme day has decreased.

One of the reasons reported in the feedback surveys is the difficulty for organisations to release resources for the day’s activities. In addition, despite joint efforts, the theme day is not very well known.

The updated National Medicines Information Strategy will reflect the decision to stop the organisation of National Medicines Day and instead, defines measures for more targeted events and communications with the Medicines Information Network. In the future, during week 11/12, Fimea will organise an event for one target group with clear objectives that promotes rational use of medicines.

The National Medicines Day website will stop working by the end of June 2020. The website highlights important themes for rational use of medicines and contains good online materials. The applicable parts of the National Medicines Day website will be transferred to fimea.fi.

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Medicines Information Network