The 2025 ESCP Spring Workshop was held in a unique and inspiring coastal setting, where pharmacists, educators, and researchers gathered to explore the evolving scope of pharmacist prescribing. With the waves as a backdrop and innovation at the heart, the event brought together expert speakers and engaged participants in a dynamic programme of plenaries, workshops, and social activities. Workshop took place in Egmond aan Zee, the Netherlands on 7th – 8th April 2025 on “The Prescribing Pharmacist: a Prescription for better patient care.”

Day 1:

The workshop opened with an inspiring keynote by Thomas Kempen (the Netherlands), offering “A global overview of pharmacist prescribing initiatives and models.” This session provided a solid foundation for understanding the diversity of prescribing frameworks across countries. In the hours to follow, attendees could participate in the workshops hosted by the plenary speakers for a further deep dive (pun intended!) into the topic. This led to lively interactions discussing the competencies of prescribing pharmacists, promoting cross-border dialogue and idea exchange. Kayleigh Davison (England) closed the scientific programme with a compelling plenary on “Working as an Expert Pharmacist Prescriber: Better Researcher, Educator, Leader and Clinician,” shedding light on the multifaceted nature of modern pharmacist roles.

The evening programme was as vibrant as the day. A group dinner at the beach offered a chance to unwind and connect, featuring a light-hearted but competitive pub quiz timed perfectly with the sunset. Laughter and learning went hand-in-hand as teams tested their knowledge on Dutch pharmacy history and drug riddles.

Day 2:

For the early risers, the final morning offered an optional nature-based wellness programme. Participants could choose between a refreshing sea dive, a peaceful dune walk, or an energising 5 km fun run.

Day two delved deeper into practical aspects of prescribing. Freyja Jónsdóttir (Iceland) shared her personal and professional reflections and those of Anita Weidmann (Austria) in “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step: driving pharmacist prescribing.” Her plenary was a motivational call for change-makers to follow her steps using the I-UtTER framework. Stephen Doherty (England) brought the plenaries to a powerful close with his plenary on “Pharmacist Prescribing Education: admitting prescribing practice & educational design into pharmacy curricula.” Attendees had the opportunity to follow one of the workshops to satisfy their prescribing appetite..

The 2025 Spring Workshop successfully blended evidence, experience, and enthusiasm. It strengthened the collective ambition to expand pharmacist prescribing, while fostering a sense of shared purpose and possibility. We look forward to the next edition with new insights and continued collaboration!

A big thank you to all the plenary speakers; workshop moderators; Scientific and Organising Committee of the Spring Workshop; to our sponsors: Saladax, DoseMe, Stratipharm and Digitalis; and all participants for sharing their knowledge and skills, for sharing their own work by presenting a poster/ oral communication, for networking and for being in Egmond aan Zee!
Hope to see you again at one of our future events.