Tuesday, September 1, 2026

8:00 AM - 8:45 AM

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Details

Moderators: Mrs Teresa Almeida, ANF - National Association of Pharmacies, Portugal Programme: Overview MOTU-0301 - PharmSpeak – Norwegian: A profession‑specific language training programme for foreign‑educated pharmacists in Norway Norwegian pharmacies have increasingly recruited foreign‑educated pharmacists in recent years to meet workforce needs. While these professionals bring strong clinical competence, many face challenges related to Norwegian language use and workplace communication, which can affect patient counselling, collaboration with colleagues, and medication safety. PharmSpeak – Norwegian is a profession‑specific language training programme designed to address these challenges by strengthening both spoken and written Norwegian through authentic pharmacy‑based scenarios embedded in everyday practice. The programme is delivered as an interactive, web‑based course developed through close collaboration between language educators and practising pharmacists. It focuses on real‑life pharmacy communication, including patient counselling, prescription interpretation, and professional workplace dialogue, using professionally produced videos, listening and writing exercises, and contextual introductions to Norwegian pharmacy practice and work culture. The first cohort, launched in autumn 2025, was fully booked with a substantial waiting list, reflecting high demand. Participant feedback indicates increased confidence in patient communication and improved ability to navigate linguistic variation, including exposure to multiple Norwegian dialects. This session will present the course design, early outcomes, and discuss how profession‑specific language training can support integration, patient safety, and workforce sustainability, with potential transferability to other healthcare professions and international settings. MOTU-0302 – Measuring the social and economic value of the community pharmacy sector in Portugal Community pharmacies are a pillar of healthcare delivery, providing accessible, patient-centred services that support therapeutic adherence, health literacy, and integration with primary care. To the best of our knowledge, international systematic evidence quantifying the broader socio-economic contributions of community pharmacies is limited. This session will present the results of a project that comprehensively assessed the economic, social, and environmental value of the Portuguese community pharmacy sector. The study, conducted in collaboration with NOVA School of Business and Economics (an academic partner, from Portugal), aimed to provide robust, evidence-based insights to guide policy, professional practice, and strategic planning, while highlighting the untapped potential of pharmacies to further strengthen health system sustainability. The session will focus on three interrelated objectives of the study. First, it quantifies the economic impact of community pharmacies using Input-Output modelling to capture direct, indirect, and induced effects on GDP, employment, and fiscal revenue; second, the study evaluates the social value of pharmacies as critical proximity healthcare providers, emphasising their role in improving health outcomes, promoting equitable access, supporting patient adherence, and enhancing social cohesion; third, the environmental contributions of pharmacies are examined through several initiatives and other sustainable operational practices, including the indirect environmental effects of services on patient travel and logistics. By attending this session, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of both the current and potential contributions of community pharmacies to health systems and to society. The discussion will highlight how leveraging the full capacity of pharmacies can enhance health equity, optimise resource use, and strengthen system sustainability. This session offers a unique opportunity to engage in a thematic dialogue on the strategic role of community pharmacies, with implications for policy, practice, and research in health services both nationally and internationally.

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Chairs & speakers