Lunch break session supported by GSK
Chair(s)
Mr Ramon Goomber, Head of Pharmacy and Clinical Practice Innovation, GSK, Canada
Speakers
- Ms Shelita Dattani, Pharmacist and Chair, Adult Vaccine Alliance, Canada
- Dr Vivian Brown, Executive Member, Adult Vaccine Alliance, Canada
- Mr Justin Bates, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Pharmacists Association, Canada
Introduction:
As populations age and the prevalence of chronic diseases continues to rise, healthcare systems face growing pressure to shift from treating illness to preventing it. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, while respiratory infections such as influenza, COVID-19, RSV, shingles and pneumonia can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular complications, hospitalisations and mortality among vulnerable adults. Despite the growing evidence linking infectious diseases and cardiovascular outcomes, preventive interventions, including adult immunization, remain underutilised and are not yet fully integrated into chronic disease management.
This panel will explore how pharmacists can play a critical role in advancing a more integrated approach to prevention, with a particular focus on cardiovascular health and vaccination. As some of the most accessible and trusted healthcare professionals, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to identify and educate at-risk individuals, engage patients in meaningful conversations about prevention, and support the uptake of evidence-based interventions that protect long-term health.
Bringing together perspectives from pharmacy practice, cardiovascular health, public health and policy, the discussion will examine the evolving role of pharmacists as prevention champions within healthcare systems. Speakers will explore the growing burden of co-morbidities and the impact of infectious diseases on patients living with cardiovascular conditions, highlighting the importance of preventive strategies throughout the patient journey.
The panel will also address the practical opportunities and challenges pharmacists face in delivering preventive care. Topics will include patient engagement, risk communication, vaccination conversations, multidisciplinary collaboration and the system-level enablers needed to maximise pharmacists' contribution to public health. Particular attention will be given to how pharmacists can help bridge gaps in prevention, especially among ageing populations and underserved communities.
Through a dynamic and interactive discussion, participants will gain insights into how prevention can be better embedded into routine pharmacy practice and how stronger collaboration between pharmacists, healthcare professionals, policymakers and patient organisations can improve health outcomes. Ultimately, the session aims to demonstrate why pharmacists matter more than ever in building healthier communities and advancing a prevention-first approach to healthcare.
Programme:
| 13:30 – 13:35 | Opening |
| 13:35 – 13:50 | Part 1 – The growing burden of co-morbidities |
| 13:50 – 14:05 | Part 2 – The link between Infection & cardiovascular events |
| 14:05 – 14:20 | Part 3 – Why pharmacists are critical |
| 14:20 – 14:30 | Audience interaction & wrap-up |
Learning objectives:
1. Understand the relationship between infectious diseases, cardiovascular health and prevention, and the implications for patients living with chronic conditions.
2. Explore how pharmacists can identify at-risk individuals and use personalised prevention and vaccination conversations to improve patient outcomes.
3. Identify opportunities for collaboration between pharmacists, healthcare professionals, policymakers and associations to strengthen prevention and healthy ageing strategies.
Take home messages:
Pharmacists play a critical role in integrating vaccination into chronic disease prevention. By identifying at-risk patients, personalising prevention conversations, and collaborating across healthcare systems, pharmacists can help reduce the burden of cardiovascular complications, improve vaccine uptake, and advance a prevention-first approach to healthy ageing.
