Prof. Derek Stewart was nominated for the ESCP Fellow due to his outstanding contributions to clinical pharmacy research, practice, and education. He is a globally recognized leader with a remarkable track record, having secured over £3 million in research funding and published more than 280 peer-reviewed papers. His leadership as Chief Editor of the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy has enhanced the journal’s impact and diversity.
Derek’s research has had a direct, positive influence on clinical pharmacy, including the expansion of pharmacist prescribing in the UK and improving patient safety in the Middle East. He has also mentored over 30 PhD students, strengthening research capacity within the field. His long-standing service to the ESCP, including his presidency from 2020-2023, exemplifies his dedication to advancing the Society’s mission. His efforts led to expanded membership, increased collaboration with other societies, and successful annual events, all while fostering an inclusive and innovative environment.
Derek’s leadership, research excellence, and unwavering commitment to the ESCP make him a highly deserving ESCP Fellow. Professor Stewart was presented with the award during the opening ceremony of the ESCP Symposium in Krakow.
The ESCP 2024 Annual Symposium took place in Krakow, Poland, from October 21st to 23rd, 2024, with the theme “Implementing and Scaling Sustainable Clinical Pharmacy Practice.” The event gathered over 350 participants from Europe and beyond, fostering the exchange of knowledge, research, and professional networking. The scientific program featured plenary sessions, workshops, oral communications, poster presentations, and sponsored lectures.
The day before the symposium, a General Committee meeting was held, along with a Masterclass of Excellence organized by the Research Committee and led by Prof. Martin Henman and Prof. Betul Okuyan. The masterclass focused on initiating implementation science in clinical pharmacy. The evening before the symposium featured the opening lecture by Prof. Piotr Skarżyński, who presented the fascinating topic “Methods of Treatment in Partial Deafness: From Pharmacology to Implants.” The evening concluded with a Welcome Reception held in the historic Jagiellonian University building.
The symposium was officially opened by Dr. Monika Lutters (President of ESCP), Dr. Kamila Urbanczyk (Symposium President), and Prof. Michael Scott (Scientific Committee Chair). During the opening, Prof. Martina Hahn presented an award to Prof. Derek Stewart as a new ESCP Fellow.
The symposium centered on the transformation process, emphasizing the latter stages – implementing, scaling, spreading, and achieving the sustainability of innovations in clinical practice – all supported by new models of education and lifelong learning.
Prof. Cathy Harrison described the implementation of innovative clinical pharmacy services across Northern Ireland’s health system from a policy perspective. Prof. Judith Strawbridge discussed the benefits of involving patients in research and how their insights and life experiences lead to more relevant research with improved outcomes. Dr. Alpana Mair shared the outcomes of the EU-funded SIMPATHY project, which identified recommendations for managing polypharmacy in Europe, building on Scotland’s program to address inappropriate prescribing and prevent medication-related harm.
Dr. Francesca Wirth reflected on how practice research outcomes could support the evolution of effective and sustainable pharmacy services, focusing on cardiovascular disease management. She also discussed strategies to overcome barriers and enhance facilitators, along with practical considerations. Dr. Charlotte Bekker introduced a Dutch project exploring the potential to “reuse” unused medications from patients’ homes. Dr. Markus Lampert and Prof. Samuel Allemann shared Swiss experiences on developing and implementing a pharmacist-led pharmacogenetic service in various settings. Prof. Michael Scott and Anita Hogg introduced the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC), a Northern Ireland-based center of expertise that has demonstrated considerable success and sustainability since 2015.
Other plenary sessions, led by internationally renowned speakers, addressed topics such as the aging population (Prof. Daniela Fialová), cardiovascular and respiratory diseases (Prof. Piotr Ponikowski and Prof. Joanna Chorostowska-Wynimko), mental health (Prof. Anita Weidmann), and antimicrobial resistance (Dr. Marina Odalović).
The Steve Hudson Lecture was delivered by Prof. Bart van den Bemt, who spoke on implementing sustainable clinical pharmacy practices with the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Two lectures sponsored by Saladax featured exceptional speakers. Dr. Georgios Schoretsanitis discussed the fundamentals and role of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in clinical decision-making, while Prof. Martina Hahn and Prof. Sibylle Roll emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in interpreting TDM results to optimize drug safety in antipsychotic therapy.
During the 15 workshops, participants focused on diverse topics, including medication optimization in frailty, medicines reviews, clinical pharmacy services for polypharmacy patients, patient engagement, clinical pharmacy practice and research methodology, clinical supervision for students and trainees, antimicrobial stewardship, sick-day guidance in clinical practice, and health literacy for pharmacists and educators. All workshops were facilitated by experienced moderators, resulting in active discussions.
During the breaks, participants had the opportunity to view the poster session, discuss with the authors and network.
The symposium highlighted that achieving impactful results in clinical pharmacy for patient benefit requires a holistic approach, involving collaboration among all stakeholders – spanning education, clinical pharmacy care delivery, interdisciplinary collaboration, legislative support, continuous evaluation, and long-term sustainability.
The event’s ambiance was highlighted by the gala dinner held under the Kościuszko Mound. The DoubleTree Hilton venue provided a delightful setting, complemented by high-quality catering. Attendees also had the chance to participate in a Fun Run or tour Krakow’s Old Town, all against the backdrop of beautiful autumn weather.
A sincere thank you to all plenary speakers, workshop moderators, the Scientific and Organizing Committees of the symposium, the ESCP International Office, the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, the City of Kraków, our sponsors (Saladax, DoseMe, and Datlowe), and all participants for sharing their knowledge, skills, and work through posters, oral communications, and networking.
We look forward to seeing you again at one of our future events!
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