PSA and Guild split on Expo
October 12, 2011
THE NSW branch of the PSA is set
to establish its own Clinical Expo,
after deciding not to renew its
agreement with the NSW Pharmacy
Guild to jointly present the annual
Pharmacy Expo.
The PSA said the decision was
based on concerns over the Guild’s
“trade fair” Expo program proposal,
which the PSA said “was not in the
best interests of pharmacists or the
public they serve”.
“Although we were keen to work
collaboratively with the NSW
Pharmacy Guild regrettably, in our
view the new format proposed by
the Pharmacy Guild would
potentially undervalue clinical
presentations and their critical
importance in helping to improve
the wellbeing of Australians,” said
NSW PSA President, Charlie Benrimoj.
“We believe the original concept
of a PSA Clinical Expo is still very
valid, and should include a close
integration of the education program
with the exhibiting companies.
“For instance, pharmaceutical
companies could have experts
available to discuss their products,
and the optimal use of those
products, with pharmacists,” he said.
The PSA’s clinical expo will do
away with “trade fair” format, which
it said was outmoded, and instead
will focus on clinical presentations
and the continuing professional
development of pharmacists.
“PSA will present an event that is
relevant, targeted and gives
pharmaceutical companies,
manufacturers and patient support
groups the opportunity to present
to pharmacists on the clinical
aspects of their products and
services,” said Benrimoj.
HOWEVER the Guild has reassured
the industry that the move won’t
alter the running of the Pharmacy
Expo, as well as its clinical and
professional education streams.
Next year’s event, rebranded as
“The Guild Pharmacy Academy
National Convention Exhibition
2012” will take place as previously
announced from 15-17 Jun 2012 at
Sydney’s Darling Harbour
Convention and Exhibition Centre.
NSW Guild Events Manager, Rob
Keen, said the PSA pullout
presented “an exciting opportunity
to rebrand and refresh the event”.
He said the new format would
expand exhibitor interaction by
offering staggered workshop and
break times, plus the introduction
of new education streams catering
to pharmacists, owners, interns,
and pharmacy assistants.
“The Guild strongly supports the
need to deliver a multi-platform
event which incorporates clinical
education alongside an interactive
exhibition,” he said.
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