Background: The efficient distribution of Direct Healthcare Professional Communications (DHPCs) is crucial for ensuring healthcare providers promptly receive important new safety information.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of the electronic distribution of DHPCs by the Danish Medicines Agency (DKMA) and to assess how future safety communication can be improved.
Design: We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey among Danish physicians using a self-administered questionnaire.
Methods: DKMA sends DHPCs to healthcare professionals via an electronic mailbox called e-Boks which is linked to the unique personal identifier. To evaluate DKMA's distribution of DHPCs, participants were asked about awareness, frequency and barriers of reading, preferred distribution channel and overall satisfaction. To further identify potential improvements, respondents were asked about general preferences regarding sender and channels of safety information in addition to which information sources they use to keep up-to-date.
Results: A total of 2238 physicians completed the survey corresponding to a response rate of 26% based on the total target population. The total awareness was 81%. Compared to previous research, awareness of GPs increased from 66% to 82%, and the percentage of GPs who rarely or never read DHPCs decreased from 33% to 20%. In addition, our study revealed a preference for receiving DHPCs electronically through e-Boks as opposed to workplace-delivered postal letters, and a preference for the DKMA over pharmaceutical companies as the sender of DHPCs. One-third of the respondents were either 'dissatisfied' or 'very dissatisfied' with the current solution. A professional mailbox and point-of-care alerts when prescribing may complement the primary distribution channel to strengthen the uptake. Additionally, existing information sources already frequented by the target group may be used to communicate safety information.
Conclusion: The DKMA's electronic distribution of DHPCs suggests an improvement and may serve as inspiration for other agencies. However, the considerable dissatisfaction calls for further improvements.
Keywords: direct healthcare professional communication (DHPC); pharmacovigilance; risk minimisation measures; safety communication; survey.
Evaluating physicians’ preferences and experiences with email delivered safety information of medicines Why was this study done? A direct healthcare professional communication (DHPC) serves the purpose of providing timely important safety information about medicine to physicians. This is crucial for the safe and effective use of medicines. The main goal of our study was to see how well the Danish Medicines Agency (DKMA) is doing with sending DHPCs via an electronic mailbox called e-Boks, and to find ways to make this communication even better in the future. e-Boks is linked to your Danish unique personal identifier, which remains with you even if you move or change your email address. What did the researchers do? We surveyed a group of Danish physicians using an online questionnaire. The questions covered topics like how often they read DHPCs, any difficulties they face, their preferred way of receiving them, and their overall satisfaction with the current system. What did the researchers find? Of the 2238 physicians who responded, 81% were aware of DHPCs, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. Most preferred receiving DHPCs electronically through e-Boks rather than through postal letters at their workplace. They also favored getting this information from the DKMA instead of pharmaceutical companies. However, a third of the respondents were not happy with the current system. What do the findings mean? The findings suggest that the DKMA’s method of electronically distributing DHPCs is well-received by physicians and has improved their awareness and reading of these important safety communications. To further enhance the effectiveness of safety communication, it is recommended to diversify the electronic channels used. This could include professional emails, pop-up messages when they prescribe medicine, and making use of existing information platforms frequently visited by physicians. The study indicates that the DKMA’s approach could serve as a model for other agencies, but also highlights the need for ongoing efforts to refine the system.
© The Author(s), 2025.