Now is the time to talk about medicines

Finns talk way too little about the medicines they use. This must change. On the Finnish National Medicines Day on 22 March 2018, a campaign named “Suitable Medicine” will be launched to stimulate public debate and a new kind of attitude towards pharmacotherapy.

In particular, the campaign aims at influencing people's use of medicines at home, where the optimal implementation of pharmacotherapy calls for an active approach from medicine users or persons helping them. Population will be encouraged to ask about and discuss their medicines with healthcare professionals and pharmacy personnel, and advised on how to find sources of reliable information on medicines. A regularly maintained list of medicines is an important tool to this end.

The campaign targets especially working-age citizens, those who take care of their family as well as active elderly citizens.

Communications targeted at healthcare professionals during the autumn

Before the awareness campaign for the general public is launched, healthcare professionals are encouraged to engage in discussion, to respond to the concerns of patients and medicine users and to take account of the elements of rational pharmacotherapy in their own work.

In support of the communications targeted at healthcare professionals, materials have been prepared that are primarily available in electronic and printable format on the laakehoidonpaiva.fi campaign website. The website will be updated again after the turn of the year with a new outlook for the public awareness campaign and with materials targeted at Finnish National Medicines Day event organisers.

Promotion of rational pharmacotherapy is part of the current Government Programme

The Rational Pharmacotherapy Action Plan is part of the current Government Programme. The work of the groups that have worked with the action plan will be brought to completion by the end of 2017, at which time its deployment will commence. The purpose of the action plan is to promote rational pharmacotherapy – to improve the quality of treatment, responsible action and appreciation towards pharmacotherapy by the different parties involved. At the same time, the wellbeing of the population is improved, public health is enhanced and the costs of health care are reduced. The communication campaign is used for promoting the achievement of these objectives. The action plan was prepared and will be deployed in collaboration with pharmaceutical industry operators.

Visit the campaign website sopivalaake.fi (in Finnish and Swedish)

Rational Pharmacotherapy Action Plan (in Finnish)

Further information

Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki, Director, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 29 51 63382, [email protected]

Ulla Närhi, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 29 51 63391, [email protected]

Katri Hämeen-Anttila, Head of Research and Development, Fimea, tel. +358 29 522 3513, [email protected]

Coordination of the Finnish National Medicines Day

Päivi Kiviranta, Development Coordinator, Fimea, tel. +358 29 522 3522, [email protected]

Further information about the communication campaign

Fimea Communications Unit, Katja Lindgren-Äimänen, Communications Manager, tel. +358 29 522 3118, [email protected]
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Communications Unit, Krista Kukkanen, Communications Officer, tel. +358 29 516 3350, [email protected]