News

13 July 2006
Second EPF Seminar of 2006 - "Bypassing Pharmacy"

The European Pharmacists Forum (EPF), sponsored by Alliance UniChem, held its second seminar of 2006 in Sardinia, Italy, on 6 and 7 July. The seminar focussed on the theme of 'Bypassing Pharmacy'.

Anthony Roberts, IT Director, UniChem, gave a presentation on 'Bypassing Pharmacy'. The debate focused on how manufacturers are supplying products and services directly to patients, instead of going through the pharmacist. Participants examined the reasons behind this trend and talked about how pharmacies are reacting, and discussed what the EPF and Alliance UniChem can do to help.

Delegates also discussed a new law recently passed in Italy in the pharmaceutical sector. This law includes the rule that OTC drugs can now be sold in drugstores and supermarkets with the assistance of one or more pharmacists listed on the pharmaceutical register.

This seminar was the last to be held in partnership with Alliance UniChem, as the next one will be sponsored by Alliance Boots, following completion of the merger between Alliance UniChem Plc and Boots Group PLC on 31 July 2006.

At the gala dinner to celebrate the last Alliance UniChem EPF seminar, Ornella Barra, Executive Director of Alliance UniChem, reiterated to EPF members that the new Group, Alliance Boots, will give even more support to independent pharmacists and will be fully committed to community pharmacy. It will provide an even wider range of services and solutions targeted at independent pharmacists.