Impact of pharmaceutical services in the community in Portugal highlighted at the European Parliament
ANF’s visit to Brussels took place as part of a session organized by AFFR, the Romanian counterpart of the Association.
By Ana Rita Cunha
“Portugal is an example of best practices in pharmaceutical services, recognized throughout Europe.” These were the words of ANF’s Romanian counterpart, AFFR, which invited the Association to “share its journey and success story” during a session at the European Parliament.
Maria Mendes, from ANF’s Health Solutions and Evidence Division, emphasized the fundamental role of community pharmacies in ensuring people’s access to healthcare in Portugal, as well as the significant impact of pharmaceutical services on the community.
“Every day, more than half a million people visit community pharmacies in Portugal,” she began, highlighting the strong relationship of proximity and trust between pharmacies and the population.
ANF’s participation in the Brussels session was marked by examples of pharmacy interventions with positive health outcomes. These include the integration of the pharmacy network in the SNS seasonal vaccination campaign against flu and COVID-19, the local dispensing of hospital medicines, and the potential of pharmaceutical intervention in minor clinical situations.
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