Lunch break session supported by Opella
Chair(s)
Prof John Pieper, Vice President, FIP, USA
Introduction:
Abdominal pain is one of the most prevalent and complex complaints encountered in community and clinical pharmacy settings. Despite its high frequency, patients with abdominal pain — including those with functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional abdominal cramping pain (FACP) - often remain underdiagnosed, undertreated, or poorly supported in their day-to-day management. Pharmacists, as the most accessible healthcare professionals, are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap.
This session aims to explore and elevate the pharmacist's evolving role in the comprehensive management of abdominal pain — spanning pharmacological treatment, patient counselling, lifestyle guidance, and the integration of emerging clinical evidence into practice. Attendees will leave with a strengthened understanding of the evidence base, practical tools for patient interaction, and a renewed sense of the pharmacist's impact on patient outcomes and QoL.
Programme:
| 13:30 – 13:33 | Opening |
| Prof John Pieper, Vice President, FIP, USA |
| 13:33 – 13:38 | Welcome |
| Deepa Maharaj |
| 13:38 – 13:58 | Gastroenterologist's perspective: epidemiology, IBS & functional abdominal cramping pain (FACP), pathophysiology, Rome V diagnostic framework, treatment landscape |
| Dr. Brooks D. Cash, Baylor University Medical Center, USA |
| 13:58 – 14:13 | Pharmacist's perspective: Daily challenges, patient guidance, screening, counselling, OTC management, referral |
| Dr. Piotr Merks |
| 14:13 – 14:28 | Panel and Q&A |
| Dr. Brooks D. Cash & Dr. Piotr Merks |
| 14:28 – 14:30 | Summary and closing |
| Prof John Pieper, Vice President, FIP, USA |
Learning objectives:
1. Understand the pharmacist's evolving role in comprehensive abdominal pain management across pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
2. Apply evidence-based strategies to optimise patient outcomes and adherence in abdominal pain care.
3. Identify practical tools and resources for pharmacist-led counselling and patient education in abdominal pain management.
Take home messages:
Pharmacists are essential healthcare providers in abdominal pain management. By integrating pharmacological knowledge with patient counselling and lifestyle interventions, pharmacists can significantly improve patient outcomes, adherence, and quality of life.
