Pharmaceutical education and science in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) are at a pivotal stage of transformation, driven by the region’s diverse needs, evolving health priorities, and the pressing demand for a skilled pharmaceutical workforce. To support this reform, FIP, through the UNITWIN Network on Global Pharmacy Education Development and in collaboration with UNESCO, is launching the FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN Centre for Excellence in the EMR. Building on the lessons and impact of the 2025 FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN Strategic Insight Board report (https://www.fip.org/file/6324) and aligned with UNESCO’s 2023–2027 agreement. This CfE will serve as a regional hub for FIP’s Academic Institutional Members (AIMs), uniting partners to strengthen pharmacy education and science as a tool to advance practice, improve health outcomes, and promote sustainable workforce development across the region.

Several global organisations, particularly the World Health Organization and the United Nations, have urged countries to develop Long-Term Care (LTC) systems to address the marked ageing of the population. Although LTC is not exclusively for older people (but for anyone experiencing a degree of dependency), the majority of LTC recipients are older adults. The prevalence of multimorbidity increases with age and, consequently, so does polypharmacy. Medicines are therefore among the most frequently used therapies in LTC, positioning pharmacists as essential professionals in LTC and aged care settings.

Moderator:

- Filipa Alves da Costa, Assistant Professor with Tenure, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Portugal

Panellists:

- Cheryl Sadowski, Professor, University of Alberta, Canada

- Niamh Lennox-Chhugani, Chief Executive and Director of Research, International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC), United Kingdom

- João Rafael Gonçalves, Professor and Senior Researcher, ISBE - Institute for Evidence-Based Health; iMed.ULisboa - Research Institute for Medicines, Portugal

This session highlights pharmacist-led initiatives across the Americas that strengthen trust and engagement within communities. Participants will learn how pharmacists can address diverse patient needs, foster cultural sensitivity, and implement patient-centered approaches that improve medication understanding and adherence. The discussion will feature examples of community outreach, personalised care programs, and collaborative initiatives that have successfully bridged gaps in knowledge and access, promoting equitable health outcomes. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to build trust and strengthen the role of pharmacists as accessible, reliable sources of health information

Panellists:
- Leticia Caligras, Pharmacist, FIP CPS Secretary, Uruguay
- Daniel Quesada, Pharmacist at the Ministry of Health; Latin American Director of DHIT, Costa Rica

Pharmacists play a vital role in ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines. With their specialised expertise in pharmacotherapy, they are well-positioned to identify and resolve medication-related problems, support medication adherence, and optimise treatment outcomes for both prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Enhancing medication safety requires a collaborative and multifaceted approach—improving communication, strengthening medication reconciliation, and fostering teamwork across healthcare professionals. As the final point of contact before a medicine reaches the patient, pharmacists are uniquely placed to lead efforts, and thus medication safety starts with the pharmacist’s contribution.

Moderator:

- Luís Lourenço, Professional Secretary, FIP, Portugal

Co-moderator:

- Aysu Selçuk, Development Goals Lead, FIP, The Netherlands

Panellists:

- Reba A Forbess, Pharmacy Operations Manager, PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Coordinator, Houston Methodist Willowbrook, USA

- Paul Gallagher, Chair FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN Centre for Excellence Western Pacific Region; Joint Programme Director-B. Pharm. (Hons.), National University of Singapore, Singapore

- Irina Papieva, Technical Officer, World Health Organization HQ, Switzerland

To support this reform, FIP, through the UNITWIN Network on Global Pharmacy Education Development and in collaboration with UNESCO, is launching the FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN Centre for Excellence in the AMR. Building on the lessons and impact of the 2025 FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN Strategic Insight Board report (https://www.fip.org/file/6326) and aligned with UNESCO’s 2023–2027 agreement. This CfE will serve as a regional hub for FIP’s Academic Institutional Members (AIMs), uniting partners to strengthen pharmacy education and science as a tool to advance practice, improve health outcomes, and promote sustainable workforce development across the region.

Moderator:

- Genuine Desireh, UNITWIN and Provision Programme Manager, FIP, The Netherlands

Facilitator:

- Hanadi Alolimi, UNITWIN and Provision Programme Coordinator, FIP, The Netherlands

Panellists:

- John A. Pieper, Professor and President Emeritus, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis, USA

- Lilian M. Azzopardi, Professor, Department of Pharmacy at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Malta, Malta

- Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner, Associate Dean for Clinical Services and Practice Transformation, University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, USA - Giovanni Pauletti, Professor & Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, USA

- Silvana Leite, Professor, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil - Dalia Bajis, Head of Programmes and Provision, FIP, The Netherlands - Catherine Duggan, CEO, FIP, The Netherlands

- Peter Swaan, Professor and Dean, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, USA - Wanda T. Maldonado Dávila, Dean, University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico - USA

ISOPP International Symposium 2026

Format: 24-Hour Virtual Symposium (“Around the World”)

Purpose & Features:

• To bring together oncology pharmacy professionals globally for sharing research, innovation, best practices.
• 30 sessions, each 30 minutes, in celebration of ISOPP’s 30th anniversary.
• Keynote & panel sessions, interactive workshops / live discussions, networking, on-demand access for those who can’t attend all live sessions.

 International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP) invites submissions of abstracts for its 2026 symposium. This event welcomes oncology pharmacy practitioners, researchers, and those involved in service evaluation or clinical audit. Key deadlines: abstracts due 31 October 2025. Accepted abstracts will be published in the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice.

Stay tuned for the 85th FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 12–15 September 2027. More information will be available soon.