Monday, September 1, 2025

8:00 - 8:45

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Details

Programme: Overview MOMO-0301 – Rational use of medicines in developing countries: A case study of India Dr Subhash Mandal, National Honorary General Secretary, Indian Pharmaceutical Association, India Access to essential medicines is an important concern throughout the world, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. Out‐of‐pocket expenditure for healthcare and medicines account for about 70 percent of expenses of households in some underdeveloped countries, due to spiralling medicine costs, causing a sizable percentage of populations to sink below the poverty line. Increased spending on health is forcing families to cut down on nutrition and medicines, leading to a grave socio-economically compromised system and a burden of sick individuals. Healthcare experts have identified a plethora of complex factors behind this scenario, one of which is the irrational and misuse use of medicines. The Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) have developed a project on the rational use of medicines to improve accessibility of quality, safe and efficacious medicines, aligned with FIP Development Goals 18 (Access to medicines, devices & services) & 19 (Patient safety). This session will present the varied elements of the project, including the production of a film to promote the proper use of medicines which is shown in schools and public places, distribution of posters and leaflets, magazine and newspaper articles, and advocating for rational prescribing. The session will share the results of the impact of these initiatives, which include improved understanding of the issue, the development of standard treatment guidelines, and the development of a formulary. As a result, the out-of-pocket expenditure on health has seen a significant reduction over the last 10 years. MOMO-0302 – Belgian community pharmacies’ investments in digitalisation to assure our sustainable future and develop added value pharmaceutical services to patients Mr Koen Straetmans, President, Association of Pharmacists Belgium, Belgium & Mr Hendrik De Rocker, Secretary General, Association of Pharmacists Belgium, Belgium “Rome wasn’t built in a day …”. The changing role of community pharmacists and the way new services are being developed are benefitting from, and building upon, the considerable investments Association of Pharmacists Belgium (APB) and community pharmacists undertook in Belgium in digitalisation and digital supporting tools over the last decade. Examples of digitalisation include shared patient records between all community pharmacies, electronic prescriptions, and electronic forms to capture data. This presentation will showcase how the APB and pharmacists’ investments in the field of digitalisation and data exchange led to the tremendous development of pharmaceutical services and successes in the last five years. The session will also highlight the benefits of these investments for patients, healthcare professionals, government and pharmacists, as well as the impact on the pharmacy economic model, and will touch on future plans for progression.

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