The National Pharmaceutical Strategy
- Published: January 7, 2020
- Last updated: February 5, 2024
The vision for the National pharmaceutical strategy is 'Rational use of medicines to the benefit of patient and society'.
Sweden has had a national pharmaceutical strategy since 2011 and a revised strategy is established at each new government term of office.
In January 2024, the government established the strategy for the years 2024–2026.
Focus areas 2024–2026
- availability to new and old pharmaceuticals
- treatment with and handling of pharmaceuticals
- development of new pharmaceuticals and clinical trials
Representatives
In Sweden, around 20 agencies and organisations are connected to the strategy:
- Swedish Pharmaceutical Society
- Swedish eHealth Agency
- Public Health Agency of Sweden
- Health and Social Care Inspectorate
- The trade association for the research-based pharmaceutical industry in Sweden
- Swedish Medical Products Agency
- The Regions
- National Board of Health and Welfare
- Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services
- The Swedish Society of Medicine
- Swedish Pharmacy Association
- Swedish Pharmacists Association
- Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions
- Swedish Medical Association
- Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency
- Swedish Association of Health Professionals
- Patient and informal caregiver representative
Whitin the focus area "Availability to new and old pharmaceuticals", representatives from Swedish Veterinary Agency, The Swedish Board of Agriculture and The County Administrative Boards are also included.
If needed, other agencies or organisations may also be included.
Organisation
Centre for rational use of medicines
In connection with the first national pharmaceutical strategy in 2011, the government decided to form a specific office at the Swedish Medical Products Agency, the Centre for rational use of medicines (abbreviated CBL).
The CBL Office has the responsibility to follow-up the National pharmaceutical strategy and coordinate cooperation work between authorities and organisations e.g., coordinate and prepare situation analysis, prepare annual reports and status updates and handle national and international inquires on the Swedish pharmaceutical strategy. The CBL office leads the work in the expert group and in the high-level group.
Expert group
The expert group consists of representatives from each agency and organisation as mentioned above. The group is responsible for preliminary and ongoing work on the strategy and activities. In this group current topics are also discussed. The group supports the development of the situation analysis and reports. The representatives are also responsible to report the activities their agency or organisation are responsible for.
High-level group
A high-level group is also connected to the national pharmaceutical strategy. The purpose is to ensure that the persons in decision-making positions are well informed about the strategy and progress. The expert group may also escalate questions to this group for discussion.