Programme:
| 08:00 – 08:05 | Introduction by the chairs |
| 08:05 – 08:25 | MOWE-0301 – Transforming the health journey: The expanding role of Portuguese community pharmacies |
| Ms Ema Paulino, President, National Association of Pharmacies, Portugal |
| 08:25 – 08:45 | MOWE-0302 – Advances in pharmacy practice: New professional roles of Brazilian pharmacists in healthcare |
| Dr Walter Da Silva Jorge Joao, President, Brazilian Federal Council Of Pharmacy, Brazil |
Overview
MOWE-0301 – Transforming the health journey: The expanding role of Portuguese community pharmacies
Ms Ema Paulino, President, National Association of Pharmacies, Portugal
This session will explore recent professional developments in Portuguese community pharmacies, highlighting the evolving role of pharmacists in public health and specialised therapeutic management. These advances not only improve accessibility but also lead to better health outcomes by integrating pharmacists more actively into patient care pathways.
Key developments include pharmacist dispensing of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, ensuring earlier and wider access to preventive treatments. In addition, the expanded role of community pharmacies in diabetes management—through the availability of insulin pumps and improved support for insulin therapy—is enabling patients to achieve better glycaemic control and reducing the burden of hospital care. New regulations in Portugal allow the dispensing of specialty medicines in community pharmacies, further decentralising healthcare, and facilitating timely treatment initiation and adherence while improving continuity of care.
Another important advance is the introduction of bimonthly dispensing of chronic therapies, based on an analysis of patients' prescription and dispensing history over the past year. This approach enhances professional intervention by allowing pharmacists to better monitor adherence, proactively address potential therapy-related issues and provide greater predictability to ensure continuity of care.
These initiatives align with the priorities defined in the Livro Branco das Farmácias Portuguesas (Portuguese Pharmacies' White Book), which emphasises transforming pharmacies into integrated healthcare centres. By leveraging their accessibility and expertise, pharmacists are making a significant contribution to improving adherence, reducing complications, and ultimately optimising health outcomes. This session will provide insights into this transformation, its measurable impact on patient well-being, and the broader implications for our national healthcare system.
MOWE-0302 – Advances in pharmacy practice: New professional roles of Brazilian pharmacists in healthcare
Dr Walter Da Silva Jorge Joao, President, Brazilian Federal Council Of Pharmacy, Brazil
In this session, the Brazilian Federal Council of Pharmacy will present the new professional roles regulated for Brazilian pharmacists in 2025: pharmacotherapeutic profile; mental health; and women’s health.
The new professional roles represent a significant advancement in pharmaceutical practice and enhance the overall healthcare provided to the population.
