Uppsala University and Swedish Medical Products Agency to increase collaborations in pharmacoepidemiology

The Swedish Medical Products Agency and Uppsala University's Department of Pharmacy have signed a joint letter of intent to increase their collaborations in pharmacoepidemiological research, a scientific discipline which, with a focus on socially, economically and ecologically sustainable drug use, is in rapid expansion. The agreement contributes to strengthening Sweden's education and research in the field and to advance our nation's position in international projects.

“It is very satisfying that the Swedish Medical Products Agency with this agreement consolidates its ongoing investment in pharmacoepidemiology. With the letter of intent, both Academy and Authority accentuate the importance of this area as well as a joint wish to develop our already good collaboration regarding exchange of knowledge and competence,” says Björn Wettermark, Professor of Pharmacoepidemiology at Uppsala University.

The agreement identifies a number of priority areas at the center of the collaboration. These include follow-up of healthcare providers' adherence to treatment recommendations and patients' adherence to drug treatment, sustainable drug use and introduction of new drugs. All being well-established tracks within pharmacoepidemiological research as well as in focus of studies underway at the Department of Pharmacy. In parallel, development of competence will take place in Epidemiology, Public Health, Sustainability, Environment and Biologicals.

“Our group is already engaged in a series of collaborative projects with the Agency, including numerous master's and bachelor's degree projects and Agency experts offering guest lectures in our courses. We also recently launched a joint study on diagnostics and treatment of depression and anxiety in Region Uppsala, and the fact that we are now expanding our collaboration with the Swedish Medical Products Agency will undoubtedly generate new interesting ideas for future research,” says Björn Wettermark.

In order to strengthen its epidemiological research, the Swedish Medical Products Agency has gathered its expertise in the field in a new unit led by Professor Rickard Ljung. The team has already completed a number of registry studies on the effectiveness and side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine and adherence to treatment recommendations. In expanding the collaboration with Uppsala University, the Agency identifies opportunities to further develop both research methods and its knowledge of sustainable drug use, efficacy and safety of new treatments:

“Our Agency has access to specialist expertise and large amounts of data from both registers and spontaneous reporting of side effects. There is great potential to develop and expand analyzes within registry studies and signal evaluation, and an icreased collaboration with Uppsala University is an excellent way to strengthen both our research and our contributions to the Swedish healthcare system,” says Veronica Arthurson, Head of division at the Swedish Medical Products Agency.

Text: Magnus Alsne, Thomas Ekelund, photo: M Wallerstedt, J Hägglund a o