The IPU National Pharmacy Conference takes place on 27 April. This year’s event, titled ‘The Changing Face of Primary Care – Empowering Community Pharmacy’ will provide an engaging array of expert speakers as well as opportunities to network, an excellent and diverse range of exhibitors, and the chance to catch up with peers, while learning how you can maximise your potential.
The IPU will present a strong line-up of international and Irish speakers, in addition to a motivational guest speaker, Brent Pope, who is best known as an ex-All Black rugby player, rugby pundit, author and mental health advocate. Mr Pope’s session will be followed by the ‘Great Debate’ panel discussion, which will focus on the conference theme of ‘The Changing Face of Primary Care – Empowering Community Pharmacy’. Following this discussion, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, will address delegates before the IPU Presidential address and close of the conference.
The evening activities will commence at 7.00pm with the pre-dinner drinks before the President’s Dinner at 8.00pm, the meal will be followed by entertainment.
Registration will be open from 8.15am, and at 9.00am Dermot Twomey, IPU President, will formally open the conference and welcome all the delegates.
Dr O’Mahony will be followed by Diogo Dominguez-Piedade, Economics Affairs manager at the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU). Mr Dominguez-Piedade will provide insights into ‘Delivering Pharmaceutical Care – Future Direction of European Policies’. There will be a quick break following this speaker for exhibition time along with tea and coffee. Shaun Flanagan, Assistant National Director at the PCRS will then deliver an update on the ‘HSE Restructure – Role of the PCRS’.
Niall Sinnott, Head of eHealth and Information Systems at the Department of Health will be next to take to the stage delivering an insightful talk on the ‘Digital Health and Social Care Strategic Framework’ to those gathered. ‘An Introduction to Health Literacy and the Role of the Pharmacist’ is our next topic which will be presented by both Dr Laura Sahm and Dr Michelle O’Driscoll from University College Cork. We will then take a break for lunch and refreshments and there will be plenty of time to visit all the exhibitors.
The conference will recommence with the Great Debate which should prove to be a rousing and interactive session. The debate will be chaired by Dr Tamasine Grimes, Associate Professor in the Practice of Pharmacy at Trinity College Dublin and a practicing pharmacist. Dr Grimes will be joined on stage by Dr Pat O’Mahony, Chair of the Expert Taskforce; Niall Sinnott, Head of eHealth and Information Systems; and Joanne Kissane, PSI Registrar. This interactive session should provide for an engaging and thought-provoking panel discussion.
The conference will then be addressed by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD.
The IPU President will provide the final address, before the conference concludes at 5.15pm.
Friday 26 April: IPU AGM 7.00 – 9.00pm
Saturday 27 April: Presidents Dinner (Black Tie Event)
Follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the conference, and use #IPUConference2024 if you’re posting.
Room booking information: To book your hotel room in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone logon to their website to make your booking at radathlone.com, or contact the hotel on 090 644 2600.
A list of alternative accommodation in the vicinity of the Radisson Blu Hotel can also be found on the Hotel information tab in the conference section of the IPU website at events.ipu.ie.
Your Saturday attendance fee includes admission to all sessions, entry to exhibition hall, lunch and tea/coffee breaks.
Save the Date: The IPU’s 2025 AGM and Conference will take place on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May 2025, in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney.
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