Annual Pharmacists Indaba Kicks Off in Bulawayo.

THE annual Pharmacists Indaba commenced today in Bulawayo, bringing together pharmacists from across Zimbabwe to address pressing issues in the pharmaceutical sector.

Hosted by the Pharmacist Society of Zimbabwe, the congress will run until Saturday at a local hotel, under the theme “Innovation in Action: The Intersection between Artificial Intelligence and the Pharmaceutical Sector.”

Dr Aspect Maunganidze, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Child Care, is the guest of honour for the congress.

The congress aims to illuminate the integration of new technologies in pharmacies and tackle recurring challenges hindering effective service delivery.

In an interview with Chronicle news, Ms Nyasha Manamike, a pharmacist at Corporate 24 Hospital and one of the event’s organisers, highlighted the thematic areas for this year’s discussions, which include artificial intelligence, combating the complex health crisis, innovative trends in drug discovery, pharmaceutical regulations, and market access.

“We have various speakers who will engage in talks and discussions on these topics and on how technology can help us address these challenges,” she said.

Additionally, representatives from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), and the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) will be present to discuss monetary regulations and the regulatory landscape affecting medicine availability in the country.

This year’s Indaba promises to be a crucial platform for collaboration and innovation within the pharmaceutical community.