Development of medicines information

The Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) compiles, produces, evaluates and distributes evidence-based impartial information on medicines to the public, to social welfare and health care professionals, and for the needs of public decision-making. Fimea is also responsible for the long-term planning and coordination of national medicines information practices.

As the basis of these activities, Fimea published Finland’s first National Medicines Information Strategy in 2012, which was drawn up in collaboration with the relevant stakeholder groups.

The Medicines Information Strategy addresses the development of medicines information aimed at the general public on the one hand and health care professionals on the other. It describes the current state of providing information on medicines, including best practices, deficiencies and challenges. Additionally, the strategy highlights potential actions to be taken and proposes that cooperation be increased in the development of medicines information. The Medicines Information Strategy spans up until the end of 2020. 

Medicines information is defined as information on medicines and pharmacotherapies that is available to consumers and health care professionals from various information sources, either in person, in written form or via electronic services (telephone, Internet, television and radio). Medicines information is produced by the authorities, for example, as well as by health care professionals, the pharmaceutical industry and patient organisations (Medicines Policy 2020).