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ePI Readiness & Implementation

ELECTRONIC LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

ePI Readiness & Implementation

Read all of this leaflet carefully. It contains important information about preparing your organisation for ePI implementation.

Keep the QR code for accessing your electronic leaflet. You may need to read it again as your ePI journey progresses.

If you need further information or support, contact Billev Pharma East.

What is in this leaflet​

1. What ePI is and what it is used for

The Future of Product Information Starts Here

Europe is transforming how medicinal Product Information is created, managed and shared.

Electronic Product Information (ePI) is authorised Product Information adapted for handling in electronic format and dissemination via the web, e-platforms and other channels. It includes the SmPC, Package Leaflet and labelling.

Built on the EU ePI Common Standard and HL7 FHIR, ePI introduces a structured, machine-readable digital layer to Product Information while complementing existing formats.

What ePI can enable

  • Structured Product Information
    Transform regulatory content from traditional documents into structured, machine-readable information.
  • More efficient regulatory processes
    Support more efficient creation, management, updating and lifecycle maintenance of Product Information.
  • Improved accessibility and searchability
    Make authorised Product Information easier to access, search and use across digital environments.

Digital healthcare integration
Enable Product Information to connect with the wider digital healthcare ecosystem.

ePI is more than a new format. It represents a fundamental shift from document-based regulatory content to structured regulatory data.

2. What you need to know before implementing ePI

Do not delay ePI implementation if:

  • your SmPCs, Package Leaflets and labelling are not prepared for structured content;
  • your regulatory workflows are not designed to support ePI;
  • your technology requirements have not yet been assessed;
  • your internal ePI roles, responsibilities and governance have not yet been defined;
  • Regulatory, IT, Medical, Translation and other relevant functions are not aligned;
  • you have not assessed which ePI solution is appropriate for your organisation;
  • you do not yet have a defined ePI implementation roadmap.

Warnings and precautions

  • Do not wait until ePI implementation becomes urgent.

Preparing for ePI involves more than introducing new technology. Before implementation, consider how the change will affect your Product Information, regulatory processes, systems and teams.

  • Review your current Product Information processes

Consider how Product Information is currently:

    • created and reviewed;
    • translated and submitted;
    • approved and published;
    • updated and maintained throughout the product lifecycle.

Existing document-based workflows may need to be adapted to support structured Product Information.

  • Check whether your systems are ready

Assess whether your current technology and system landscape can support structured Product Information and evolving ePI processes.

  • Involve the right teams early

ePI implementation may affect Regulatory Affairs, Labelling, IT, Medical, Translation and other functions. Responsibilities, governance and ways of working should be defined before implementation begins.

  • Allow sufficient time for preparation

Late preparation may lead to:

    • increased pressure on internal resources;
    • rushed technology decisions;
    • gaps in processes and responsibilities;
    • additional content migration and rework;
    • implementation under compressed timelines.
  • Assess your readiness before you implement.

An early ePI readiness assessment can help identify gaps in your content, technology, processes and internal capabilities before they become implementation barriers.

3. How to prepare for ePI implementation

Before selecting or implementing an ePI solution, make sure you understand your current level of readiness and the changes required across your organisation.

Before you start

Assess your current situation, including:

  • existing SmPCs, Package Leaflets and labelling;
  • Product Information authoring, review and approval processes;
  • translation and submission workflows;
  • current systems and technology;
  • roles and responsibilities and governance;
  • internal ePI knowledge and capabilities;
  • portfolio size, markets and languages.

This will help identify gaps that should be addressed before implementation.

Plan your implementation

Based on the results of your readiness assessment:

  • identify and prioritise critical gaps;
  • define your ePI requirements;
  • establish clear roles and responsibilities;
  • determine the resources and expertise required;
  • define an implementation timeline;
  • prepare a practical ePI roadmap aligned with your portfolio and regulatory priorities.

Do not select an ePI solution before understanding what your organisation actually needs.

Selecting the right ePI solution

Choose a solution that fits your organisation, rather than adapting your organisation to a particular technology.

Consider whether the solution supports your:

  • Product Information portfolio;
  • regulatory workflows;
  • structured content requirements;
  • languages and markets;
  • existing systems;
  • lifecycle management needs.

Independent, vendor-neutral assessment can help ensure that technology decisions are based on your regulatory and operational requirements.

Preparing your Product Information

Once the appropriate approach and technology are in place, existing Product Information will need to be prepared for structured use.

This may include:

  • preparing and migrating existing content;
  • structuring Product Information according to the EU ePI Common Standard and applicable FHIR requirements;
  • mapping and structuring content correctly;
  • validating structured Product Information;
  • performing quality control;
  • preparing teams and workflows for ongoing ePI activities.

After implementation

Do not treat ePI as a one-time conversion exercise.

Integrate ePI into your existing regulatory lifecycle so that future variations, translations, Product Information updates, submissions and other regulatory changes can be managed consistently.

If additional expertise or capacity is required, Billev Pharma East can support individual activities or your complete ePI journey — from readiness assessment and planning to implementation, validation and lifecycle support.

4. Possible side effects of delaying ePI implementation

Delaying preparation for ePI may make the transition more complex and place additional pressure on your organisation.

The following effects may occur if preparation starts too late:

Increased implementation pressure

  • less time to assess your current level of readiness;
  • compressed timelines for technology selection and implementation;
  • competing priorities across Regulatory, IT and other functions;
  • limited time for testing, training and organisational change.

Product Information and process challenges

  • large volumes of existing Product Information requiring preparation and migration;
  • regulatory workflows that are not ready for structured content;
  • review, translation, approval and submission processes requiring adaptation;
  • unclear roles, responsibilities and governance.

Technology-related challenges

  • existing systems may not be ready to support evolving ePI requirements and processes;
  • technology may be selected before organisational requirements are fully understood;
  • rushed decisions may result in unnecessary rework or additional implementation effort.

Loss of control over implementation

Starting too late may leave less flexibility to determine your preferred implementation approach, allocate resources and introduce changes according to your own priorities.

Instead of following a planned roadmap, your organisation may need to respond to external timelines and regulatory developments as they arise.

What to do if these effects occur

Do not panic. Contact Billev Pharma East.

An ePI readiness assessment can help determine your current position, identify critical gaps and define the actions needed to move forward.

Early preparation can help keep your ePI transition manageable, planned and under control.

5. How to maintain ePI readiness

The ePI regulatory, technical and implementation environment continues to evolve.

Monitor relevant EMA and HMA developments and assess whether changes require updates to your processes, systems or ways of working.

Do not treat ePI as a one-time conversion.

After initial implementation, make sure that your processes continue to support changes to Product Information and the corresponding structured content.

 

Keep your Product Information up to date

When Product Information changes:

  • update the corresponding structured content;
  • maintain alignment between approved Product Information and ePI;
  • apply appropriate review and validation;
  • manage translations and language versions where applicable;
  • maintain appropriate version control.

 

Maintain your processes and systems

Regularly review whether your ePI operating model continues to support your regulatory activities.

This includes:

  • clearly defined roles and responsibilities;
  • appropriate governance and quality controls;
  • trained personnel;
  • validated and suitable technology;
  • integration with relevant regulatory workflows and systems.

 

Follow regulatory and technical developments

ePI requirements, guidance and supporting systems continue to evolve. Monitor relevant EMA and HMA developments and assess whether changes require updates to your processes, systems or ways of working.

Keep your organisation ePI-ready

Your ePI process should support the complete lifecycle:

Regulatory change → Product Information update → Structured content → Review and validation → Submission → Publication → Lifecycle maintenance

Review your ePI readiness periodically and address new gaps as your portfolio, regulatory requirements and technology evolve.

If you need support maintaining your ePI processes, Billev Pharma East can provide ongoing regulatory, technical and lifecycle support.

6. Billev Pharma East and other information

ePI expertise at the source

Katja Pečjak Reven, M.Sc. Pharm.
Industry Subject Matter Expert for the EMA/HMA ePI Project since 2022

Billev Pharma East brings first-hand industry insight into the evolving European ePI environment, combined with practical regulatory and implementation expertise.

Through Katja Pečjak Reven’s role as an Industry Subject Matter Expert and her long-standing involvement in European ePI initiatives, our team understands both the regulatory direction of ePI and the practical implications for pharmaceutical companies preparing for implementation.

What Billev Pharma East provides

Billev Pharma East provides independent, vendor-neutral support tailored to your organisation’s current level of ePI readiness, portfolio, processes and internal capabilities.

Support can be provided for individual activities or throughout your complete ePI journey.

Readiness and strategy

  • ePI readiness assessment and gap analysis;
  • assessment of Product Information, processes and systems;
  • implementation roadmap and strategic planning;
  • definition of priorities, responsibilities and governance.

Selection and implementation

  • vendor-neutral technology selection support;
  • regulatory workflow and governance redesign;
  • implementation planning and support;
  • training and organisational readiness.

Execution and lifecycle

  • preparation and migration of existing Product Information;
  • FHIR-based structured content preparation;
  • validation and quality assurance;
  • ongoing ePI and lifecycle support.
How to Reach us?

Billev farmacija vzhod, d. o. o.
Billev Pharma East Ltd.
Tržaška cesta 202

1000 Ljubljana

Slovenia

Why work with Billev Pharma East?

Independent and vendor-neutral

We do not sell an ePI software platform. Our recommendations are based on your portfolio, processes, systems and regulatory needs — not on a specific technology solution.

Regulatory expertise

More than 17 years of regulatory consulting experience across 50+ countries, combined with extensive experience in regulatory digitalisation and Product Information.

Practical implementation support

We help translate ePI requirements into practical processes, responsibilities and implementation activities that work within your organisation.

End-to-end support

Whether you need targeted expertise for a specific activity or support throughout the complete transition, Billev Pharma East can assist from initial readiness assessment and strategic planning through implementation, execution and ongoing lifecycle management.

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