ANF contributes to international debate on the evolution of community pharmacy in OECD member countries

ANF is taking part in Pharmintercom 2026, the annual meeting of the World Pharmacy Council (WPC), which runs until June 19^th at the headquarters of ABDA – the Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists, in Berlin. The event brings together representatives from 16 OECD member countries to discuss the main opportunities for the development of the sector at international level.

Throughout the meeting, strategic issues related to the global evolution of healthcare and social security systems were discussed. The programme also included a session with the OECD, reinforcing the event’s international and policy dimension.

In this context, ANF presented the Portuguese perspective and shared Portugal’s experience in addressing the challenges faced by member countries, focusing on regulatory developments in Portugal, the expansion of pharmacy services, access to treatments, evidence generation and priorities for the coming years.

«The community pharmacy network has become one of the main pillars of local healthcare services in the country, ensuring fast and convenient access to qualified healthcare for millions of people, while helping to relieve pressure on emergency departments and primary healthcare services», said Teresa Almeida, a member of the ANF Board, during her presentation, in which she highlighted the findings of Nova SBE’s Study on the Value of the Community Pharmacy Network in Portugal.

The WPC annual conference brings together organisations representing community pharmacies from OECD member countries, including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as representatives from the invited countries, Austria and Switzerland. Portugal was represented by an ANF delegation comprising President Ema Paulino; Teresa Almeida, member of the Board; and Manuel Talhinhas, Head of Policy & Institutional Affairs.

Pharmintercom 2027 will take place in Sydney, Australia.