EuroPharm Forum

Dear Friends and Colleagues

The EuroPharm Forum is the platform for professional Pharmacy Practice development and collaboration across Europe. The Forum members have no doubt that such a platform is essential to advance professional pharmacy practice.

Some member countries, however, have questioned if the EuroPharm Forum in its present form is the right way to continue.

The lack of support from the countries who have resigned was debated at the General Assembly in October 2009. The members of the Forum present advised the Executive Committee to form an Advisory Group to help us develop a new direction to the Forum.

The Executive Committee has contacted pharmacy opinion leaders, members and observers asking them to participate in the Advisory Group and help create a solid platform for the EuroPharm Forum or – if needed – another solution. We realise that forming such a group has been the difficult, and we have not been successful in facilitating such an Advisory Group.

In parallel with our efforts, FIP and PGEU have discussed and suggested solutions to support the European members of FIP, members of PGEU and members of the EuroPharm Forum. As a consequence of these suggestions a dedicated meeting during the FIP congress is likely to be organised. In preparation for this meeting a survey will be created by PGEU and sent to European pharmacy associations.

Based on the above initiatives and our members’ continued support, the Executive Committee wishes to support any activities that will further professional pharmacy practice development.

In order to contribute to the most favourable solution, the EuroPharm Forum has worked on a critical situational analysis of the European professional pharmacy position.

Nearly all members have paid their fees due for 2010. We recognise that this as a strong signal from our members who continue to believe that the concept of the EuroPharm Forum is important.

Our next General Assembly has been scheduled for 1 October 2010 in Copenhagen This will be an excellent opportunity to evaluate and discuss the expectations for the future activites, as well as the outcomes and directions from the FIP meeting. We hope that from this evidential analysis, members will be able to decide on the next steps forward.

Until our next meeting we shall keep you informed and updated by Newsletter and continue to modify the Observatory. We would welcome any comments from you.

Dick Tromp
President, EuroPharm Forum