Institute for Medicines and Medical Devices (CInMED) was one of the organizers of this year’s Congress of pharmacists with international participation, which was held from 11 to 14 May in Budva featuring the slogan “Power of pharmacy – Strength of our health.”
Official opening of the Congress was attended by the Managing director of CInMED, Ms. Snežana Mugoša, MD, MSc, PhD, spec., who greeted all the participants and shared her enthusiasm regarding gaining new knowledge, exchange of experiences, improvement of cooperation and new acquaintances.
„I am sure that we share one common goal – opening of new horizons in the provision of quality health care and joining forces in the fight against real challenges that we face every day. And each challenge path is also a new opportunity – an opportunity to make a future that is healthier, safer and fairer for our patients”, said the Managing director Mugoša.
CInMED held its own session within the Congress which was attended by a large number of participants and that gathered the lecturers that are distinctive experts in their area. The aim of the session was to provide participants with educational and inspiring content, as well as to motivate them to reconsider their attitudes and behavior with a short session of psychotherapy.
Moderator of the session was CInMED Managing director, Ms. Snezana Mugoša, MD, MSc, PhD, spec. who greeted the attendees at the beginning and expressed special thanks to her colleagues from CInMED, as well as external experts, for their exceptional contribution and commitment to the development of CInMED in the previous year and a half, and then briefly presented the most significant achievements.
One of the most important CInMED experts, Ms. Svetlana Ibrić, PhD, who is on the prestigious list of 2% of the world’s most influential scientists for the second year in a row, spoke on the topic “Digitalization in the pharmaceutical industry: challenges and opportunities”. Through her lecture, the attendees got the opportunity to look into the future and see what it brings in the areas of development, manufacturing and distribution of medicines.
Recognized authority in the field of pharmacy and public health, manager for international cooperation, European integration and communication of the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Serbia, Mr. Pavle Zelić, MSc. Pharm., through his inspiring lecture “We cannot be saved, yet again, we will not fail – everything you don’t know about infodemics and infodemiology, but you should ask”, pointed out one of the probably most significant topics in the areas of public health, medicine and pharmacy – dealing with misinformation, conspiracy theories and resistance to vaccines, as well as other medicines, medical devices, clinical trials, etc. He drew attention to the importance of this topic for healthcare professionals and the entire public that they can influence through their practice and dedicated work on patients’ education.
Ms. Ana Kontek, M. Pharm., head of the Department for availability of medicines at the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of the Republic of Croatia, spoke about the management of medicine shortages, and about three basic segments in the area of medicines availability that are necessary for the public health protection: access to new therapeutic options that primarily cover conditions for which the medical need, medicines availability and economic efficiency of the medicines market are currently not met.
Mr. David Kočović, M.Sc., head of the Laboratory at CInMED, presented the MEDI-THEFT project implemented by CInMED along with the Italian Medicines Agency and other partners from the region and Europe. MEDI-THEFT project goal is to develop a platform that will provide effective support to law enforcement institutions and other private/public stakeholders in combating organized theft of medicines and their illegal distribution in the official supply chain of the European Union.
Director of the international agency – Pharma Expert, responsible for numerous successful lectures and workshops for pharmacists in various areas, Ms. Arijana Meštrović, Assoc. Ph.D., presented a new model of education – SMART Pharmacist project, which is supposed to motivate pharmacists and improve pharmacy practice. The main imperative is to maintain trust in pharmacists.
Distinguished and favorite psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Mr. Vladimir Đurić, Dr., aroused great interest among the attendees by encouraging them to reconsider their own attitudes and views of life, talking about the importance of life position, i.e. finding the right place for soul, happiness and mental health.
CInMED made a great contribution to the success of the IV Congress of Pharmacists and events such as this one are the best opportunity to improve cooperation between institutions, exchange views and experiences, as well as encourage ideas and innovations in the process of providing pharmaceutical health care.
