Collaborative Professional Practice
Sunday: 11 October 2026
Time: 11H00 – 16H00
Venue: Hall 5AB
Chair: Mr Kgabo Komape
Session Overview
Healthcare systems worldwide are under increasing pressure from rising chronic disease, antimicrobial resistance, workforce shortages and escalating healthcare costs. Community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to address these challenges through early intervention, medicines optimisation, disease prevention and collaborative patient-centred care.
This session explores how expanding the clinical role of community pharmacists can improve antimicrobial stewardship, optimise medicines use in patients with multimorbidity, and increase access to timely healthcare services. Through practical case studies and evidence-based interventions, delegates will consider how pharmacists in a collaborative practice setting can improve health outcomes, reduce unnecessary healthcare utilisation and strengthen multidisciplinary care within South Africa.
Programme
11H00 – 11H45 – Introduction By Chairperson Mr Kgabo Komape
11h30 – 12h00 – Challenges and Opportunities in Collaborative Practice
Topic: Expanding the role of community pharmacists in antimicrobial stewardship
Speaker: Ms Balindile Nomawethu Linda Mlindazwe
12h00 – 12h30 – Interprofessional Collaboration for Multimorbidity
Topic: Managing Polypharmacy: The Pharmacist as Medication Steward
Speaker: Ms Inez Naidu
12h30 – 13h00 – Improved Health Access and Outcomes
Topic: Community Pharmacy as the First Point of Care: Reducing System Burden
Speaker: Ms Simone Eksteen
13h00 – 13h15 – Panel Discussion
13h15 – 14h30 – Lunch and poster presentation exhibition hall
14h30 – 16H00 – Opening and overview by the session chair Mr Nhlanhla Mafarafara Oral presentations (Eight (8) Oral presentations)
Learning objectives
Participants will be empowered to:
- Describe the evolving role of community pharmacists in improving health outcomes beyond traditional dispensing.
- Identify evidence-based pharmacy interventions that improve antimicrobial stewardship and support the rational use of medicines.
- Apply principles of medicines optimisation to improve therapeutic outcomes in patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy.
- Explain how pharmacist-delivered clinical services improve access to care, reduce pressure on the healthcare system and contribute to Universal Health Coverage.
- Recognise opportunities for greater interprofessional collaboration to improve patient-centred healthcare.
- Consider the need for policy and regulatory frameworks that support interprofessional collaboration.
Take Home Messages
The increasing burden of multimorbidity requires healthcare professionals to move beyond traditional professional boundaries and work together as integrated teams. Achieving better health outcomes requires every member of the healthcare team to contribute their unique expertise in a coordinated, patient-centred manner. Community pharmacists have an essential role to play as medicines experts, ensuring the safe, effective and appropriate use of medicines, improving therapeutic outcomes, and supporting continuity of care. By placing the needs of patients and the public at the centre of care, interprofessional collaboration becomes not only best practice, but an essential component of sustainable healthcare. “The future of healthcare is not about expanding the role of one profession—it is about integrating the strengths of all professions to deliver the best possible care for every patient.”
Prevention & Public Health Promotion
Monday: 12 October 2026
Time: 11H00 – 14h00
Venue: Hall 5AB
Chair: Ms Kokong
Session Overview Introduction
This session discusses how the profession can strengthen preventive healthcare, prevent antimicrobial resistance, prepare for future public health crises, and implement practice models that support the mental health and psychological well-being of healthcare professionals. By investing in prevention and the professionals, we can build healthier communities and more resilient healthcare systems.
Programme
10H15 – 11H00 – Introduction by the Chairperson Ms Kokong
11H00 – 11H20 – Preventive and wellness-focused approach
Speaker: Dr. Thembisile Xulu, South African National AIDS Council (SANAC)
11h20 – 11H40 – Antimicrobial Resistance: A 2050 Perspective
Speaker: Prof. Sabiha Essack
11H40 – 12H10 – Public Health Crises of the Future: Are We Prepared
Speaker: Prof. Reneir Coetzee
12h10 – 12H30 – Panel Discussions
12H30 – 14H00 Lunch and Poster Presentation Exhibition Hall
Learning Objectives
Participants will be empowered to:
- Assess the evolving role of pharmacists in prevention and public health promotion;
- Identify innovative and scalable models for delivering preventive healthcare services;
- Discuss strategies to mitigate antimicrobial resistance and improve stewardship; and
- Examine approaches to strengthening workforce resilience and preparedness for public health emergencies.
Take Home Messages
The most effective healthcare intervention is often the one that prevents disease before it occurs. Prevention and public health promotion must therefore become central to the future role of pharmacy. The future belongs to healthcare systems that invest in prevention, stewardship, and workforce well-being. Pharmacists have an important role to play in leading this transformation and advancing healthier communities for generations to come.
Best Practice Models – Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing
Monday: 12 October 2026
Time: 14h00 – 15h15
Venue: Hall 5AB, Community Pharmacy Session
Chair: Mr TJ Ntshabele
Session Overview
Because mental health is everyone’s responsibility, creating a culture of wellbeing requires collective commitment from individuals, employers, professional bodies, and the broader healthcare system.
This session will explore the mental health challenges experienced by healthcare professionals, with a particular focus on the pharmacy workforce. Discussions will examine the various factors that influence mental wellbeing in pharmacy practice, including increasing workplace pressures and the demands of providing patient-centred care.
Programme
14h00 – 14h05 – Introduction by the Chairperson Chair: Mr TJ Ntshabele
14h05 – 14h25 – Mental health – across health care professionals
Speaker: Ms Thato Mokgalabone
14h25 – 14h45 – Mental health issues affecting the Pharmacy profession
Speaker: Dr Sham Moodley
14h45 – 15h05 – Solutions and opportunities- Building a resilient pharmacy workforce
Speaker: Dr Nokuthula Dlamini
15h05 – 15h15 – Panel discussions
Take Home Messages
For Employers
- Create psychologically safe workplaces where employees feel supported and able to raise concerns.
- Build resilience through supportive leadership and workplace policies that promote work-life balance and prevent burnout.
For Employees
- Understand that mental health challenges are manageable when addressed promptly.
- Develop personal resilience strategies, including healthy coping mechanisms, social support networks, and self-care practices.
For Pharmacists as Professionals, Family Members, and Caregivers
- Be an advocate for mentally healthy families and communities.
- Promote resilience and supportive relationships.
- Promote access to care both at home and in professional practice.
