Tuesday, September 2, 2025

8:00 - 8:45

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Details

Programme: Overview MOTU-0201 – Primary care drug therapy (PCDT) pharmacists in South Africa Ms Refiloe Mogale, Executive Director, Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa, South Africa In an era where healthcare accessibility remains a global challenge, South Africa has pioneered an innovative model that positions pharmacists as key players in primary healthcare. The Primary Care Drug Therapy (PCDT) Pharmacist initiative empowers pharmacists with extended prescribing rights, enabling them to provide essential healthcare services, manage chronic conditions, and improve patient outcomes. This session will provide an insightful overview of the PCDT Pharmacist framework, exploring its legislative foundations, implementation in community pharmacy settings, and its impact on public health. By alleviating burdens on healthcare facilities and enhancing patient care, PCDT pharmacists have become integral members of the primary healthcare team. Their role in expanding access to primary healthcare, optimising pharmaceutical care, and integrating independent prescribing supports the global movement towards pharmacist-led healthcare solutions. By highlighting South Africa’s leadership in this domain, this session aims to inspire global pharmacy communities to explore and adapt similar initiatives. The PCDT model serves as a blueprint for countries seeking to empower pharmacists as frontline healthcare providers, ultimately contributing to universal health coverage and improved patient care worldwide. This session positions the PCDT Pharmacist model within the global healthcare landscape, encouraging policy reform and professional development to enable pharmacists to take on a more active role in primary care. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on advocating for, and implementing, similar frameworks in their respective countries, ultimately contributing to improved patient care and healthcare system efficiency. MOTU-0202 – Advancement of pharmacy-based primary care in Canada Mr Glen Doucet, CEO, Canadian Pharmacists Association, Canada This session will focus on the advancement of pharmacy-based primary care in Canada, providing an overview of its current landscape, recent developments, and its proven efficacy in improving patient outcomes. Our aim is to showcase the growing role of pharmacists in delivering primary care services, supported by up-to-date data and case studies. By highlighting the Canadian experience, we hope to encourage global collaboration and knowledge exchange on optimising pharmacists' contributions to primary care. This session will provide an overview of pharmacy-based primary care in Canada, exploring key areas where pharmacists have expanded their role in patient care, such as chronic disease management, medication reviews, and minor ailment services. Updated data on the efficacy of these services will be shared, and their impact on patient access, health outcomes, and healthcare system efficiency will be discussed. The session will encourage discussion among attendees to explore best practices and challenges in implementing similar models in their respective countries.

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Speakers