Emerging Trends in Medicines Development, Manufacturing and Distribution (Manufacturing/Wholesale Session)
Sunday: 11 October 2026
Time: 11h45 – 13h15
Chair: Prof. Thirumala Govender
Session Outline: Hall 4AB
The Manufacturing/Wholesale sector session explores how scientific innovation, regulatory reform, and supply-chain transformation will shape South Africa’s pharmaceutical sector by 2050. It focuses on three key areas: novel medicines, including precision medicine, gene and cell therapies, mRNA vaccines, AI-driven drug discovery, and treatments for priority diseases; evolving regulatory pathways, addressing advanced therapies, accelerated registration, digital health, AI, and African regulatory harmonisation; and cold-chain innovation, covering smart packaging, IoT, traceability, digital visibility, rural access, and sustainable logistics. Across these themes, the session considers South Africa’s role in local pharmaceutical innovation, manufacturing and health security, the future of medicine access and supply-chain resilience, and the skills and capabilities pharmacists and the wider workforce will need to support emerging technologies and therapies.
Key Takeaways for Delegates
Understand emerging technologies transforming medicines development.
Appreciate the regulatory changes required to support innovation.
Identify future trends in pharmaceutical manufacturing and wholesale distribution.
Recognise opportunities for South Africa to strengthen local manufacturing capacity.
Consider the evolving role of pharmacists in a highly digitalised and innovation-driven pharmaceutical ecosystem.
Programme
11h45 – 11h50 – Introduction of theme by the Chair
Speaker: Prof. Thirumala Govender
11h50 – 12h10 – The development of Novel medicines for priority Diseases SAPC to propose a speaker
Speaker: Prof. Admire Dube
12h10 – 12h30 – Evolving regulatory pathways
Speaker: Ms Ingrid Duvenhage
12h30 – 13h00 – Cold chain evolution and innovation
Speaker: Mr Saratis Kosmas
13h00 – 13h15 – Panel Discussions
13h15 – 14h30 – Lunch and Poster Presentation Exhibition Hall
14h30 – 16h00 – Oral presentations
Session Chair: Mr Thabang Malatji
Session Closing Message
The journey towards 2050 will require an innovative, digitally enabled, globally competitive, and patient-centred pharmaceutical sector. Pharmacists, manufacturers, wholesalers, regulators, and researchers must collaborate to shape a resilient future for healthcare in South Africa and across the continent.
Pharmacist Beyond the Counter
Monday: 12 October 2026
Time: 11h00 – 12h30
Venue: Hall 4AB
Chair: Mr Chris Botha
Introduction
Globally, the pharmacy profession is undergoing a significant transformation as healthcare systems increasingly embrace person-centred, preventative, and technology-enabled models of care. Pharmacists are no longer viewed solely as dispensers of medicines, but as integral members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams who contribute to improved access, continuity of care, and better patient outcomes. Advances in digital health, precision medicine, telehealth, and collaborative care are creating new opportunities for pharmacists to support patients throughout the healthcare journey. At the same time, healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines are driving innovation in service delivery, offering valuable perspectives on how care can be delivered more effectively and closer to where patients live.
Emerging models such as virtual consultations, remote medication management, home- based care, and hospital-at-home services are reshaping patient experiences while expanding access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations. These developments raise important questions about future workforce capabilities, regulatory frameworks, technological integration, and interprofessional collaboration.
This section will focus on innovative healthcare models that transform the patient care experience, the expanding role of pharmacists in remote and digital care, and opportunities for delivering effective pharmaceutical services beyond traditional healthcare settings.
Key Takeaways for Delegates
Recognise emerging healthcare models that place pharmacists at the centre of patient care.
Understand the role of telepharmacy and remote care in expanding healthcare access.
Identify opportunities for pharmacist-led home care services.
Appreciate the competencies and technologies required for future-focused pharmacy practice.
Explore policy and regulatory considerations that will enable pharmacists to practice beyond traditional settings.
Programme
11h00 – 11h10 – Introduction by Session Chair Chair Mr Chris Botha
11h10 – 11h30 – Healthcare model that transforms the patient care experience
Speaker: Mr Erick Calitz
11h30 – 11h50 – Pharmacists’ role in remote care
Speaker: Dr Reshoketseo Rampedi
11h50 – 12h10 – Home care services by a pharmacist
Speaker: Mr Leigh Van Der Bijl
12h10 – 12h30 – Panel Discussions
12h30 – 14h00 – Lunch and Poster Presentation Exhibition Hall
Session Closing Message:
“The pharmacist of 2050 will be defined not by a dispensing counter but by their ability to deliver accessible, integrated, technology-enabled and patient-centred care wherever the patient may be.”
Building A System Fit for the Future
Monday: 12 October 2026
Time: 14h00 – 15h30
Venue: Hall 4AB
Chair: Dr Lehlohonolo Mathibe
Introduction
Innovation is reshaping healthcare and pharmacy practice, creating opportunities to improve patient outcomes, strengthen healthcare systems, and enhance operational efficiency across the medicines value chain. However, successful innovation requires more than new technologies; it depends on effective leadership, workforce readiness, regulatory support, and collaboration across the sector. As healthcare evolves towards 2050, the profession must learn from both local and global experiences to ensure that promising ideas translate into sustainable improvements. Equally important is balancing technological disruption with equitable access, continuity of care, and practical implementation in real-world settings. This section will focus on innovation adoption, the impact of emerging technologies, and strategies for successfully implementing future-ready solutions across the pharmacy sector.
Key Takeaways for Delegates
Understand how healthcare innovations can be effectively implemented and scaled.
Learn from real-world examples of successful transformation initiatives.
Appreciate the opportunities and challenges associated with disruptive technologies.
Identify strategies for building innovation-ready organisations and systems.
Explore the role of pharmacists in shaping resilient, patient-centred healthcare systems of the future.
Programme
14h00 – 14h05 – Introduction by the Chairperson Chair: Dr Lehlohonolo Mathibe
14h05 – 14h25 – Implementing innovations: learnings from real-world examples
Speaker: Dr Brian Lawson
14h25 – 14h45 – Innovation: disruption or enabler?
Speaker: Mr Nicodimus Mucherera
14h45 – 15h05 – Real-world implementation of innovations
Speaker: Dr Christine Ledimo
15h05 – 15h15 – Panel discussions
Session Closing Message:
“The future of pharmacy will be defined not by innovation alone, but by our ability to translate it into real-world impact. Building a system fit for 2050 requires visionary leadership, collaborative partnerships, and a commitment to ensuring that technological advancement ultimately improves the lives of the patients we serve.”