Pharmacy Represented at International Congress in Ireland

Leadership from UC’s James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy had a strong presence at the 2013 International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Congress, which took place in Dublin, Ireland, Aug. 31-Sept. 5.

Dean Neil MacKinnon, PhD, and three faculty members from Winkle—professor Jill Boone, PharmD, professor Marianne Ivey, PharmD, and associate professor Giovanni Pauletti, PhD—led and attended sessions that showcased global developments in pharmacy, gave presentations, judged scientific posters and explored potential partnerships for the college in scholarship, education and research.

 "We are definitely among the best represented US schools of pharmacy here!” MacKinnon expressed via email from the Convention Centre Dublin.

Founded in 1912, the FIP is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists and is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO).Through its 127 member organizations, FIP represents and serves more than 3 million practitioners and scientists and is the largest international gathering of practicing pharmacists, academics, industry leaders and scientists in pharmacy.

The theme of the 2013 congress was Complex Patients. It examined how pharmacists have the ability and opportunity to support patients in every aspect of complexity to include biological (emphasizing the current development of systems biology), medical (demographics, genetics, smoking, alcohol, diet and multiple diseases), socio-economic (availability of resources, literacy) and cultural (beliefs, traditions, religion).

”Sometimes we forget that pharmacy practice outside North America deals with many different challenges unknown to us. It is important to sensitize our students to global health issues as they have an outstanding opportunity to apply their skills in pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice to impact patients worldwide”, Pauletti said upon his return to Cincinnati.