AP1 - Plenary session: Pharmacy united in the recovery of the healthcare system (part 2)

Auditorium CAIXA

This session will be streamed live

TRANSLATION PROVIDED FROM ENGLISH INTO SPANISH

Chair(s)

Dr Catherine Duggan (FIP CEO, Netherlands)

Introduction

Now more than ever we need to act. The pandemic increased opportunities for pharmacists all over the world to deliver hands-on care. In many countries pharmacists have been given the opportunity to order and administer COVID-19 tests, childhood vaccines), and COVID-19 vaccines. Subsequently, pharmacists and pharmacy staff were on the front lines, testing for COVID-19, giving shots, and educating the public, all the while keeping their doors open throughout the pandemic. These efforts elevated the public’s perception of pharmacists and offset the burden on other parts of the health care system, providing an opportunity for the profession to redefine its role and value.

COVID-19 also exposed major cracks or, in many cases, gaps in our public health and health care delivery systems. Pharmacists stepped up to address some of these gaps, but they can be an even more powerful resource in our public health infrastructure.

Pharmacy has during the past years been more united than ever, but also collaborating more than ever with other healthcare professionals. We have shown that “together we are stronger”. Now we know, no profession can be effective alone.

From a cluster of cases in late 2019, COVID-19 went on to change life for everyone around the globe. At the time of writing, over 6,4 million deaths have been reported. Fortunately, currently we see that COVID-19 vaccines are being produced massively and vaccination campaigns have started across the globe.

Under the motto “stronger together” pharmacy has been one of the essential lights in the fight against the pandemic. Pharmacy – a light for the world, for every health system, for every patient and consumer. Pharmacy – a light for the world! But is healthcare making the most of this opportunity in the recovery of our health systems?

Programme

09:00 – 09:15 

 

Introduction by the chair

09:15 – 10:00

 

Your perspective on learnings through the pandemic with the imperative for your organisation and for pharmacy
Dr Luther Gwaza, WHO, Zimbabwe

10:00 – 10:30  

Perspectives from Shot@Life on learnings and challenges from the pandemic, opportunities for pharmacy 
Ms Martha Rebour, Shot@Life, USA

10:30 – 11:00   Coffee break
11:00 – 11:45    Multidisciplinary perspectives and the emerging role of pharmacists in global health
Dr Jens Gobrecht, ABDA – Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists e.V., Germany
11:45 – 12:20

 

Panel discussion and Q&A
12:20 – 12:30

 

Conclusions by the chair

Learning Objectives

  1. To describe the learnings from the pandemic from different perspectives
  2. To identify the essential role of the pharmacists during the pandemic
  3. To explain pharmacist’s role in primary healthcare
  4. To outline major achievements within pharmacy practice in different setting
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