1st International EPhEU Conference Brings European Pharmacy Leaders Together in Zagreb

Community Pharmacists at the Heart of Digital Health

On 26 June 2026, Zagreb became the meeting point for community pharmacists, researchers, educators, healthcare leaders, students and policymakers from across Europe during the 1st International EPhEU Conference, Community Pharmacists at the Heart of Digital Health: Building Bridges Between Patients and Technology.

The conference was jointly organised by Employed Community Pharmacists in Europe (EPhEU) and the Association of Pharmacists Progressus, a full member of EPhEU, reaffirming the importance of international collaboration in shaping the future of community pharmacy.

The event was held under the patronage of the Croatian Parliament and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia, reflecting the growing recognition of community pharmacists as essential healthcare professionals and key partners in the digital transformation of healthcare.

The conference was officially opened by Assoc. Prof. Katarina Fehir Šola, PhD, MPharm, General Secretary of EPhEU, together with Andreas May, President of EPhEU. In her opening address, Dr Fehir Šola highlighted that digital transformation is not simply about adopting new technologies—it is about empowering pharmacists to deliver safer, more accessible and more patient-centred care. She emphasised that while technology continues to evolve, trust remains the foundation of pharmacy practice, and community pharmacists have a vital role in ensuring that innovation serves patients.

Following the opening ceremony, Andreas May, President of EPhEU, reflected on the organisation's 14-year journey, presenting its development, achievements and growing impact across Europe. He highlighted EPhEU's commitment to representing employed community pharmacists, strengthening collaboration between national organisations, advocating for professional recognition, and supporting innovation, education and the continuous development of community pharmacy. His presentation also outlined EPhEU's vision for the future, emphasising that strong international cooperation will be essential in enabling pharmacists to actively shape the next generation of healthcare.

The scientific programme was structured around four thematic sessions exploring the future of community pharmacy through the perspectives of policy, education, artificial intelligence and professional practice.

The conference opened with an inspiring keynote lecture by Robert Moss, Vice President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), who spoke about community pharmacists as trusted leaders in digital health and highlighted the profession's responsibility in maintaining patient confidence throughout the digital transition.

Digital competencies and innovation were further explored by Dr Rajendra Pratap Gupta, Chairman of Health Parliament (India), while Ana Soldo, Vice President of the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU), presented the evolving role of community pharmacists within European digital health systems and the importance of integrating pharmacists into future healthcare policies.

The second session focused on education and professional competencies. Prof. Miranda Sertić from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, discussed how pharmacy education must evolve to prepare graduates for a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Valuable international perspectives were shared by Prof. Caroline Wehrlé-Willer and Prof. Pascal Wehrlé from the University of Strasbourg, who presented the French experience of pharmacy reform and competency-based education.

Artificial intelligence was a central theme of the afternoon programme. Assoc. Prof. Pero Hrabač from the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, examined the growing role of AI in academia and patient care. Frane Pešut from Teva explored emerging AI technologies that are likely to reshape pharmacy practice, while David Young, European Corporate Director at the PHOENIX Group, demonstrated how AI is already influencing community pharmacy services across Europe. Assoc. Prof. Sonja Jandroković presented innovative AI-supported ophthalmic screening services delivered through community pharmacies, illustrating how pharmacists can expand preventive healthcare services. The session concluded with Dr Adam Rogalewski from the European Public Service Unions (EPSU), who addressed the impact of digitalisation, online pharmacies and changing employment models on the future pharmacy workforce.

The conference culminated in a high-level strategic panel discussion, bringing together representatives from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU), Employed Community Pharmacists in Europe (EPhEU), the Croatian Chamber of Pharmacists (HLJK), the International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF), the European Society of Oncology Pharmacy (ESOP), the European Public Service Unions (EPSU) and the PHOENIX Group. The discussion explored how digital health, artificial intelligence, workforce development and professional recognition will shape community pharmacy by 2035.

A recurring message throughout the conference was clear: digital transformation cannot succeed without pharmacists. Artificial intelligence and digital technologies have enormous potential to improve patient safety, optimise workflows and expand pharmaceutical care, but they must complement—not replace—professional judgement, ethical responsibility and the trusted relationship between pharmacists and their patients.

The conference reaffirmed EPhEU's commitment to representing employed community pharmacists across Europe and to promoting collaboration, professional development and innovation in pharmacy practice. At the same time, the Association of Pharmacists Progressus demonstrated its important role in connecting Croatian pharmacists with the wider European professional community through education, international cooperation and scientific exchange.

The 1st International EPhEU Conference was far more than a scientific meeting. It marked the beginning of a shared European dialogue on the future of community pharmacy and demonstrated that, by working together across borders, pharmacists can actively shape a healthcare system in which digital innovation and patient-centred care go hand in hand.