Pharmacoepidemiology research in Central and Eastern Europe

Pharmacoepidemiology research addresses a variety of non-interventional studies measuring the utilisation and effects of healthcare interventions used in accordance with normal clinical practice in the human population. As part of the newly established Central and Eastern European Pharmacoepidemiology Data Research Group (CEEPHE DRG), Syreon Research Institute signed a framework contract for pharmacoepidemiology research for the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the next 4 years. The research group, coordinated by Syreon, includes partners from the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.

Research directions within the project will include descriptive studies, aiming to estimate the prevalence, incidence or characteristics of exposures or health outcomes in defined time periods and population groups; etiological studies measuring the strength and determinants of association between an exposure and the occurrence of a health outcome in a defined population; studies to obtain a better understanding of hazards associated with medicine use during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding; studies estimating the impact of a regulatory intervention on drug utilisation or health outcomes; pharmacogenomics studies aiming at the investigation of safety or effectiveness; systematic reviews and meta-analyses consisting in the identification, integration and critical appraisal of evidence on the use, safety and effectiveness of medicines; and methodological research to improve methods and operational implementation