Monday, September 1, 2025

8:00 - 8:45

---

Details

Programme: Overview MOMO-0401 – Competency in oncology for pharmacists Prof Helder Mota Filipe, President, Ordem Dos Farmacêuticos, Portugal Given the technical and scientific advancements, the practice of pharmacy demands a deep, up-to-date knowledge base and technical specialisation. In the field of oncology, its growing development is reflected in the therapeutic options available, often accompanied by early access programmes and approvals for new therapeutic indications for already established medicines, making clinical management of these patients increasingly complex. In addition to therapeutic evolution and innovation, there have also been advancements in oncological diagnostics, particularly the integration of biomarkers and other laboratory diagnostic techniques in selecting the most appropriate therapy. Due to their technical and scientific expertise, accessibility, and integration into multidisciplinary teams, pharmacists play a pivotal role in supporting oncology patients through education, prevention, screening, monitoring, and pharmaceutical care. This specialisation enhances pharmacists' knowledge and skills, strengthening their involvement in the prevention and early detection of oncological diseases, the application of personalised therapies, precision medicine, curative therapies, therapy through digital monitoring, assessment of therapeutic adherence, effectiveness, data recording, and increased participation in clinical research. This session will present oncology competency as an example of pharmacists' specialisation, supporting a more proactive role for pharmacists in this area. MOMO-0402 – Rural schools for mental health Carolina Martínez-Berganza, Director of International Affairs, General Pharmaceutical Council of Spain, Spain According to the latest annual report of the Spanish National Health System (2023), more than a third of the population suffers from a mental health problem, exceeding 50% from the age of 75 and following a growing trend in recent years. Community pharmacists, due to their accessibility and proximity to the population, can identify the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders, interpret these signs, and make appropriate referrals, as well as inform patients about these disorders and fight against the silent stigma of mental health. Community pharmacy plays a key role in towns and municipalities affected by negative demographic evolution, high rates of ageing, and risk of depopulation, as not only does it contribute to the care of the population, but also benefits from social cohesion and stability of the population. For this reason, the General Pharmaceutical Council of Spain (CGCOF) launched the Rural Schools for Mental Health project, which focuses on prevention and pharmaceutical care in mental health. The project involves the detection of symptoms and signs indicative of mental pathologies, and the self-care of patients already diagnosed, as well as improving adherence to treatment through pharmacists’ intervention, contributing to improved health and quality of life related to self-care and mental health. The project was implemented in 300 community pharmacies in towns of less than 30,000 inhabitants, reaching 35 of the 52 Spanish provinces. To be eligible for the project, pharmacies had to be considered VEC, a categorisation for pharmacies whose economic viability is compromised. The aim of the session is to generate an enriching debate about the role of community pharmacy in addressing mental health and the sustainability of rural areas.

---

Speakers