The future of pharmacy in Hungary, the expansion of pharmaceutical services, and the development of professional competencies took center stage at the “Pharmacy 2030” conference, organized by the Association of Pharmacies Operating in Networks in Budapest in May 2025.
At the event, Hungarian and international experts shared their experiences on current issues in pharmaceutical care, with particular emphasis on international examples and innovative developments.
Special attention was given to the “Pharmacy First” program, launched in the United Kingdom in January 2024, which allows patients to consult pharmacies directly for certain common health problems. The aim of the program is to ease the burden on general practitioners and to ensure faster, more flexible patient care. Participating pharmacists are authorized to provide advice and, if necessary, dispense medicines for conditions such as sore throat, sinusitis, or urinary tract infections. This model significantly broadens the professional scope of pharmacists and contributes to improved patient safety.
The conference also highlighted a new, currently under development training program from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Pécs. The nationally unique “Review of Medication Use” micro-certificate offers pharmacists up-to-date, practical knowledge through a blended learning format.
Focusing on digitalization opportunities and the development of pharmacy services, the conference provided a valuable forum for discussing innovative solutions that could be implemented in Hungarian pharmaceutical care.