- 15–16 October 2026
- Novotel Katowice Centrum
EPA General Assembly & European Founding Conference
Strategy, Vision and the Future of European Pharmacy
A new voice for European pharmacy 15-16.10.2026 r.
15 -16 October 2026
Conference agenda
Day one – General Assembly deliberations on key policy issues.
Day two – Open to all: researchers, students, and pharmacists interested in the future of pharmacy
Venue: Novotel Katowice Centrum Date: 16 October Format: On-site attendance + live online streaming
09:00 – 09:30
REGISTRATION, WELCOME COFFEE AND EXHIBITION OPENING
Digital check-in, networking and opening of the partner and exhibition area.
SECTION I
GENERAL: EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP AND THE FUTURE OF PHARMACY
Representation • leadership • national perspectives
09.30 – 09:50
LEADERSHIP OPENING & OPENING CEREMONY
Leadership platform: Mark Koziol – Founding Chair, European Pharmacists Association (EPA); The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA), United Kingdom; Prof. Bożena Walewska-Zielecka -Vice-Rector, Lazarski University, Poland; Prof. Urszula Religioni – Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education (CMKP), Poland; Prof. Zbigniew Doniec – President, Polish Society for Digitalisation in Medicine and Pharmacy (PTCMIF), Poland; Prof. Piotr Merks – Scientific Director, European Pharmacists Association (EPA); President, Polish Pharmacy Trade Union (ZZPF); followed by EPA Board and founding representatives
Protocol-led opening of the European Founding Conference, presenting EPA leadership and key Polish academic, scientific and professional institutions supporting the development of European pharmacy. The opening will highlight the role of academic leadership, postgraduate medical education, scientific societies and professional representation in building a new European platform for cooperation. Senior representatives will be introduced according to institutional leadership and their role in the development of the conference and EPA. Invited WHO, FIP and GPhC representatives.
09:50 – 10:00
INSTITUTIONAL WELCOME
Lecture: Science, education and international cooperation as foundations of modern healthcare
Expert: Prof. Bożena Walewska-Zielecka – Vice-Rector, Lazarski University, Poland
Welcome on behalf of Lazarski University and a short institutional perspective on academic development, research, education and international cooperation.
10:00 – 10:20
EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP AND REPRESENTATION
Lecture: Why Europe needs a new voice for pharmacists
Expert: Mark Koziol – Founding Chair, European Pharmacists Association (EPA); The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA), United Kingdom; with EPA founding representatives
Independence, representation, evidence-based advocacy and professional solidarity across Europe.
10:20 – 10:40
LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL EMPOWERMENT
Lecture: Women’s empowerment in pharmacy – from participation to influence
Expert: Greta Torbergsen – Secretary General, Norwegian Association of Pharmacists (Norges Farmaceutiske Forening), Norway
Women’s leadership, professional representation, career progression and creating structures that enable women to shape the future of pharmacy
10:40 – 11:00
EUROPEAN PHARMACY TRENDS – DENMARK
Lecture: Danish pharmacy in transition – the latest trends shaping practice
Expert: Susie Stærk Ekstrand – CEO, Pharmadanmark, Denmark
New service models, evolving professional roles, digitalisation, integration with healthcare and current workforce trends in Danish pharmacy
11:00 – 11:15
EUROPEAN PHARMACY TRENDS – SWEDEN
Lecture: Swedish pharmacy today – latest developments and lessons for Europe
Expert: Agnieszka Madej – President, Sveriges Farmaceuter (Swedish Pharmacists Association), Sweden
Current developments in Swedish pharmacy, workforce and practice trends, and lessons relevant to other European systems.
11:15 – 11:30
EUROPEAN PHARMACY TRENDS – ICELAND
Lecture: Pharmacists at the edge of the world – lessons from Iceland
Expert: Sigurbjörg Sæunn Guðmundsdóttir – Chair of the Board, Icelandic Pharmaceutical Society (Lyfjafræðingafélag Íslands), Iceland
Pharmacy practice in a small and geographically dispersed health system: access, workforce resilience, professional roles and what Europe can learn from Iceland..
11:30 – 11:50
COFFEE BREAK AND PARTNER NETWORKING
Low-waste service and exhibition engagement.
SECTION II
EDUCATION, EVIDENCE AND INTEGRATED CARE
Competencies • EBM • Interdisciplinary healthcare
11:50 -12:10
FUTURE COMPETENCIES AND INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION
Lecture: Competencies for the future — interdisciplinary education for an integrated healthcare workforce
Expert: Prof. Urszula Religioni – Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education (CMKP), Poland
Future competencies of healthcare professionals, interdisciplinary education, team-based learning and preparing professionals to work across traditional disciplinary boundaries.
12:10 – 12:30
EVIDENCE-BASED EDUCATION
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Lecture: From EBM to better HCP education — building evidence-based clinical competencies
Expert: Dr Katarzyna Sejbuk-Rozbicka – Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University, Poland
Evidence-based medicine as a foundation for healthcare professional education, clinical reasoning and translation of evidence into everyday practice
12:30 – 12:50
INTEGRATED HEALTHCARE
Lecture: Integrated health: there is space for everybody
Expert: Dr Marta Sobczyńska — Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University, Poland
Building integrated care around the patient, defining complementary professional roles and creating a health system in which physicians, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals can contribute effectively.
SECTION III
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, LAW AND PATIENT SAFETY
Court cases • liability • professional protection
12:50 – 13:10
LAW AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Lecture: When pharmacy ends up in court – lessons from Polish cases on pharmacists’ professional liability
Expert: Prof. Sebastian Sikorski – Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw (UKSW); Polish Society for Digitalisation in Medicine and Pharmacy (PTCMIF), Poland
Selected Polish court cases involving pharmacists; civil, criminal and professional liability; recurring procedural and documentation failures; and practical lessons for safer practice, professional protection and better institutional support.
SECTION IV
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, DIGITAL HEALTH AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
Leadership • standards • governance • safe implementation
13:10 – 13:25
DIGITAL HEALTH LEADERSHIP
Lecture: From digital transformation to intelligent healthcare – the role of professional scientific societies
Expert: Prof. Zbigniew Doniec – President, Polish Society for Digitalisation in Medicine and Pharmacy (PTCMIF), Poland
Scientific and professional leadership in digital transformation; building bridges between clinical practice, informatics, artificial intelligence and healthcare policy; and the role of scientific societies in setting standards for responsible implementation.
13:25 – 13:45
RESPONSIBLE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Lecture: Responsible AI in healthcare – standards, governance and safe professional use
Expert: Dr Anna Gawrońska – Poznań University of Economics and Business, Poland
Standards and norms for responsible AI use, governance, validation, transparency, accountability and safe implementation in healthcare and pharmacy practice.
13:45 – 14:30
NETWORKING LUNCH
Locally sourced menu, vegetarian options, food-waste minimisation and meetings with conference partners
SECTION V
ENVIRONMENT, GREEN PHARMACY AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
Sustainability • pharmaceutical industry • hazardous-drug exposure
14:30 14:50
GREEN PHARMACY AND INDUSTRY RESPONSIBILITY
Lecture: Green pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry – from environmental impact to professional responsibility
Expert: Prof. Shellyza Moledina Sajwani – Professor, University of Ottawa; Clinical Pharmacist, The Ottawa Hospital; President, Climaceutics Health Solutions; Co-Chair, Canadian Association of Pharmacy for the Environment (CAPhE), Canada
Environmental sustainability in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sector; the environmental footprint of medicines and healthcare; responsible medicines use, waste and disposal; and the role of pharmacists and industry in reducing environmental impact.
14:50 – 15:25
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY IN HOSPITAL PHARMACY
Lecture: Occupational exposure to cytotoxic and hazardous drugs in hospital pharmacy compounding
Expert: Dr Régis Vaillancourt – Pharmacy Consultant; former Director of Pharmacy, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Canada – live online
Occupational and environmental exposure during hospital pharmacy compounding; surface contamination, CTX and hazardous-drug risks, staff protection, monitoring and practical prevention strategies. Timed to enable live participation from Ottawa.
SECTION VI
VACCINES AND PREVENTION
Interprofessional cooperation • access • public confidence
15:25 – 15:50
VACCINATION AND INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION
Lecture: Vaccination through collaboration – how physicians and pharmacists can strengthen prevention together
Expert: Prof. Ernest Kuchar – Polish Vaccinology Society (PTW), Poland
The role of physician–pharmacist cooperation within scientific and professional organisations in supporting vaccination, increasing access and strengthening public confidence in immunisation
15:50 – 16:10
RSV PREVENTION AND THE EVOLVING ROLE OF PHARMACISTS
Lecture: RSV prevention and the evolving role of pharmacists
Expert: Leon O’Hagan – Council Member, Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI); Senior Informatics Pharmacist, Rotunda Hospital, Ireland
Irish experience, programme outcomes and implications for pharmacist-supported adult prevention.
SECTION VII
RESEARCH, REPRESENTATION AND PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION
Evidence • professional organisations • European exchange
16:10 – 16:30
RESEARCH COLLABORATION FOR THE FUTURE OF PHARMACY
Lecture: Professional self-government and ZZPF – building evidence together for the future of the sector
Expert: Dr Justyna Kaźmierczak – President, Silesian Pharmacy Chamber (SIA), Poland
How research collaboration between professional self-government and the Polish Pharmacy Trade Union (ZZPF) can generate evidence, identify workforce needs and support the long-term development of the pharmacy sector.
16:30 – 16:50
EUROPEAN EXCHANGE AND SHARED PRIORITIES
Lecture: From national innovation to shared European priorities
Expert: EPA country representatives and invited speakers
Moderated discussion: what Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Poland and other European systems can learn from one another on workforce, education, sustainability, technology and professional development.
16:50 – 17:00
COFFEE BREAK AND PARTNER NETWORKING
Exhibition engagement and networking.
SECTION VIII
NEXT GENERATION AND EPA FOUNDING MILESTONES
Future leaders • Katowice Declaration • implementation
17:00 – 17:15
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VOICE – THE NEXT GENERATION OF EUROPEAN PHARMACY
Lecture: Students today, pharmacists tomorrow — what the next generation expects from European pharmacy
Expert: International pharmacy student leader – IPSF / EPSA representative
A student-led perspective on professional autonomy, clinical competencies, artificial intelligence, sustainability, mobility, interdisciplinary education and participation in shaping the future of pharmacy in Europe.
17:15 – 17:25
TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Expert: Dr Justyna Marynowska – Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University, Poland
Translational medicine as a bridge between research, clinical practice and patient needs; the role of students and early-career professionals in interdisciplinary innovation, moving evidence from bench to bedside and bringing clinical questions back to research.
17:25 – 17:55
EPA FOUNDING SESSION
Lecture: The Katowice Declaration – a shared commitment of EPA countries
Signatories: EPA founding members and national delegations from all participating countries; Dr Justyna Kaźmierczak; Lazarski University
Formal adoption and signing of the Katowice Declaration by all participating EPA countries. The declaration will also recognise Dr Justyna Kaźmierczak and Lazarski University, as the first university in Poland entering a formal partnership with EPA, as partners in the development of research, education and professional collaboration.
17:55 – 18:10
EPA–LAZARSKI UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP
Lecture: From declaration to partnership – Lazarski University as EPA’s first university partner in Poland
Expert: Lazarski University representatives: Dr Marta Sobczyńska – Dean, Faculty of Medicine; Dr Justyna Marynowska – Faculty of Medicine; EPA representative: Prof. Piotr Merks – Scientific Director, EPA; President, ZZPF; Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University, Poland
Formal announcement of Lazarski University as the first university in Poland partnering with EPA, creating a platform for joint research, education, translational medicine, student engagement, interdisciplinary development and European professional collaboration
18:10 – 18:30
OFFICIAL LAUNCH – ZZPF SAFETY PACKAGE FOR PHARMACISTS
Lecture: Protecting pharmacists in practice – official launch of the ZZPF Safety Package
Expert: ZZPF representatives
Official launch of the ZZPF Safety Package for Pharmacists: a practical professional-protection initiative focused on safer practice, legal and organisational support, risk awareness, documentation and workforce protection.
18:30 – 18:45
CLOSING SESSION
Lecture: From Katowice to Brussels and beyond — closing commitments
Expert: EPA representatives
Final commitments, 2026–2027 milestones, implementation priorities and formal close of the European Founding Conference.
Strategy, Vision, and the Future of European Pharmacy – Katowice 2026
The conference is organized by the EPA and the Polish Pharmacy Trade Union (ZZPF), in collaboration with the Institute of Healthcare Management of Łazarski University as a co-creator of the project.
About the EPA
European Pharmacists' Association
The European Pharmacists’ Association (EPA) is a European umbrella organisation bringing together national bodies representing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, students, and professionals involved in pharmacy education and training. Its purpose is to strengthen the collective voice of the pharmacy profession across Europe and represent its interests before European institutions, public authorities, and healthcare stakeholders. EPA supports cooperation between member organisations, knowledge exchange, the development of common positions, and participation in consultations and legislative processes.
EPA initiates and coordinates research on pharmacy practice, workforce trends, professional development, innovation, artificial intelligence, and health systems. The Association also promotes education, continuing professional development, high-quality professional standards, fair working conditions, and strategic partnerships with universities, professional organisations, healthcare institutions, and international bodies.
Two days, one mission
15 October - Closed General Assembly meeting and working session for founding members.
Online streaming
Day two of the conference is available online - register and get acces!
Partners & Supporters
Honorary Patron
Partners
EPA Members
EPA ZZPF Conference
EPA Founding Members
The EPA ZZPF Conference is a gathering of representatives from 9 European countries, including delegates from national chambers and pharmaceutical unions, observers, and advisors. Together, they represent the varied professional models across Europe – and it is they, not outside experts, who define the mission and priorities of the new organisation.
Why is it worth it
EPA ZZPF is not just another industry conference – it is a founding moment for a new European pharmacy organisation. It’s an opportunity to be there from the very beginning of the EPA, to meet the people, understand the priorities, and learn about the directions that will shape the pharmacy profession across Europe in the years to come
Speakers and panellists representing professional organisations from nine European countries and international institutions
Connect directly with national delegations, policymakers and healthcare partners from across Europe.
Vaccinations, artificial intelligence and integrated care – the trends shaping the future
A lower-carbon, digitally enabled and environmentally responsible European pharmacy meeting
Every pharmacist should have the EPA/ZZPF Conference marked in their calendar.
16 October 2026 – register now. Limited on‑site places available