- Organised under the patronage of the College of Pharmacists in Romania, on 20 October 2026, Farma Conect will feature an international session with the participation of the Vice President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Luís Lourenço, alongside other international experts
- Three moderated interactive sessions will follow, on the evolution of the pharmacy profession, the development of pharmaceutical services, and the sustainability of the business environment
- Farma Conect brings to the forefront the essential role of pharmacy and pharmacists in public health policies, expanding patients’ access to essential services, and strengthening prevention
6.08.2026, Bucharest – The Association of Pharmacies and Pharmacists of Romania (AFFR) and the Employers’ Federation of Pharmacies of Romania (FPFR) are organising the international conference Farma Conect – Pharmacy and the Pharmacist, Strategic Partners in Health, under the patronage of the College of Pharmacists in Romania, on 20 October 2026, at Grand Hotel Bucharest. Farma Conect is an international forum focused on advancing solutions for strengthening the role of pharmacies and pharmacists within public health reforms, with the aim of improving patients’ access to essential services, to prevention, education, and information – the most effective levers for reducing costs and increasing the sustainability of the health system.
The conference’s highlight is the international session “European Models and Best Practices in the Development of the Profession and Pharmaceutical Services”, with the participation of several officials and experts who will share insights from the organisations they represent.
Messages from the international guests attending Farma Conect:
„FIP works to meet the world’s healthcare needs by supporting pharmacists’ workforce development, based on solid pharmaceutical sciences’ foundations and following best practices.
FIP aims to collect from (and share to) our members successful programmes that can be used as a guidance and a foundation to the development of advanced pharmacy practices locally, nationally and regionally.”
Luís Lourenço, Vice President for Practice (Operational Matters), International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
“Close to people and embedded in their communities, community pharmacies are trusted healthcare partners with an important role in improving access to care and therapeutics, strengthening prevention and early intervention, and contributing to more sustainable and resilient health systems. This event is a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss how we can further unlock the potential of pharmacy services for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems. I look forward to sharing the Portuguese experience and learning from the Romanian perspective.”
Manuel Talhinas, Head of Policy & Institutional Affairs at National Pharmacy Association (ANF), Portugal
“In Italy, community pharmacies are a trusted, first point of contact for citizens, and their role is expanding well beyond the dispensing of medicines to prevention, screening and support for chronic patients. Farma Conect is an important opportunity to compare experiences with other European countries and to discuss how this proximity network can be further strengthened to serve patients and healthcare systems alike.”
Erminia Pietrobono, Policy Officer, Federfarma, Italy
“The role of community pharmacists in Hungary and across Europe is expanding rapidly, from medication counselling and prevention to broader clinical responsibilities, including prescribing rights. Empowering pharmacists in this way means better access to care, closer patient relationships, and a more resilient healthcare system for everyone.”
Janos Elek, Pharmacist, Co-founder Wertis Group, Hungary
“My professional experience in Romania and France has revealed that, despite the differences between the two health systems, the pharmacist remains one of the most accessible healthcare professionals and an important point of reference for patients. I believe we can better leverage the pharmacist’s competencies in prevention, counselling, and pharmaceutical services, and that the exchange of experience and best practices at the European level can help strengthen the role of the profession for the benefit of patients.”
Andreea Lazăr, Deputy Pharmacist, Pharmacie Val d’Europe, Serris, France
Following the international session, Farma Conect will present three interactive panels moderated by Mihaela Tănase, Health Policy Expert, addressing key topics for the pharmaceutical sector:
- Panel I – The Profession
The pharmacist – an underused resource in prevention and patient management
- Panel II – Pharmacy and the pharmaceutical services
Community pharmacies – a proximity public health infrastructure
- Panel III – The business environment
Pharmacies – a critical economic infrastructure in health: the role of pharmacies in reducing public costs
Organised in media partnership with Antena 3 CNN, Farma Conect works to generate ideas and concrete actions that will contribute to:
- Integrating pharmacists and pharmacies into health policies
- Improving public perception and increasing the attractivity for the pharmacist profession to address workforce shortages. Aligning academic curricula with the expanding role of the pharmacist
- Increasing national vaccination rates by expanding, diversifying, and reimbursing vaccination services in pharmacies to ensure their sustainability
- Reducing budget spend on preventable diseases by actively integrating pharmacies into the national prevention and chronic disease management strategy
- Mitigating the impact of medicine shortages on patients and on the pharmaceutical sector
- Ensuring the sustainability of Romania’s pharmaceutical sector and the need for a predictable business environment. The impact of new technologies on the sector.
About AFFR / FPFR
Established in February 2023, the Association of Pharmacies and Pharmacists of Romania (AFFR) is a member of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), with a mission to actively support the pharmacy profession and work for the benefit of patients by developing pharmaceutical services tailored to their needs.
Founded in July 2025, the Employers’ Federation of Pharmacies of Romania (FPFR) is the voice of Romanian pharmacy entrepreneurship, a member of the Concordia Employers’ Confederation, and an active participant in the social dialogue with decision makers.
Together, the two entities represent 66 pharmaceutical companies, operating over 1,150 pharmacies nationwide, of which 33% are located in rural areas. They generate a combined turnover of approximately €1.3 billion and employ 6,500 staff, of whom more than 80% are pharmacists and pharmacy assistants.
