Escutia Gutiérrez R, Madurga Sanz M
Scientific Committee and Organizing Committee of the XVII International Congress of the OFIL
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Every two years, the Organization of Ibero-Latin American Pharmacists (OFIL) holds its International Congress, which has been touring the members on both sides of the Atlantic.
Since its founding in December 1981, he has held the biennial OFIL call for an international conference, large, aimed at sharing advances in the science and practice of pharmacy. The story began in 1984 celebrated the event in Alicante (Spain) from the hand of Dr. Joaquín Ronda; the next Congress is now held in the South American side in Montevideo (Uruguay) in 1986, then in 1988 he moved to the Caribbean Sea as its place Santo Domingo (Dominican Rep.). In 1990, the 4th Congress only moved to the neighbouring country, to yield to be held in San Juan (Puerto Rico). For its fifth edition in 1992, he re-crossed the Atlantic to land in Alicante (Spain). In 1994, the sixth edition, again embarked on a long journey to South America whose magnificent venue was Santiago de Chile. Following the tour of South America, the 7th congress in 1996 took place in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires (Argentina). In 1998 it was decided that Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) outside the place of the Eighth Congress. And just, in 2000, for the first time it was held in a Portuguese-speaking country, so that Salvador de Bahia (Brazil) hosted the ninth edition. The following 10th edition in 2002 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia) marked the geographical line to new horizons.
The time for Central America touch land had come and in 2004, the always wonderful, Antigua (Guatemala) hosted the edition number 11. Certainly Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) beat pulse again becomes the seat of Congress in 2006 and that’s how the 12th edition took place. Central America raised his hand again and got the 13th Congress in 2008 was held in Tegucigalpa (Honduras). After holding for Central American earth, the event pointed to the southern cone of the continent to repeat the 14th Congress in 2010 the headquarters of Santiago de Chile.
Eventually returning to the Iberian Peninsula came along with the number 15th edition, in 2012, with headquarters in the historic port of Cadiz (Spain) where he started the connection between America and Europe, and right in the bicentennial year of the promulgation of the first Spanish Constitution, which was signed in 1812 in this beautiful city of Cadiz, so called Constitution of Cadiz, while the rest of the Spanish territory was occupied by Napoleon’s French troops. In more current dates, it deserves special award one of the most successful and popular conferences, which was held in 2014 in Asuncion (Paraguay) by placing high in the 16th edition of the congress.
And after this journey through time, through the various locations that had the Congress of the OFIL, we realize that there is a place where a large number of pharmaceutical eager to participate in the exchange of knowledge and experience live a country that has recently made great efforts for the safe and rational use of medicines, and that causes the destination your time is coming: from 3 to 5 March 2016, celebrating the XVII International Congress of OFIL in Mexico; first country that will host our congress. Visit us at the Paradise Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco!!
Today we are not in a ‘step of change’, but a ‘change of step’, which claims the health role of pharmacists in a new healthcare environment, with a more adequate training requirements in a networked world by working together as a team health, and through organizations that multiply its impact. An innovator pharmacist looking to new times, on the Horizon 2020. And in this journey to support the activities of the «new» pharmacist has been, is and will remain the OFIL, with spirit of service and assembly to achieve these milestones.
But, with a little reflection, what makes it so special and important the XVII Congress of the OFIL? Why he has aroused much interest among the Ibero-Latin American pharmacists?
The following will list 10 reasons not to be missed!
- The place: Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, located in the Bay of Banderas in the Jalisco State, the city is considered the second most important tourist destination in the Mexican Pacific with its outstanding beaches, mountains and mangroves, without forgetting its newly remodelled boardwalk.
- The Motto «The Future is Now: Role of Pharmaceutical Innovator» During the beginning of the XXI century changes are happening in society in general and in the pharmaceutical world in particular. We are in a ‘globalized’ world in which new information technologies offer greater speed in everyday tasks and access to information and thus events occurring at any point do not go unnoticed by us, which imposes a quick decision. We know when a new product is authorized, but also when withdrawn from the market and its causes.
- The Academic Conference Program: a comprehensive program with speakers who will review issues ranging from monitoring of pharmacotherapy to optimize patient outcomes, improved patient safety by relying on pharmacovigilance, along with changes in the both community pharmaceutical care at the first level, as in the specialized hospitals and health institutions, seeking the rational use of drugs in different treatments. All grounded in the reinforcement as a leader of the pharmaceutical professional, patient-focused, much more than in medicines. Society demands to optimize new treatments that research offers, participating from the preclinical phase to pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics.
- Workshops: among the 9 different workshops could not miss in the program a workshop on how to publish in our Journal of OFIL, which after 25 years is still useful tool for the exchange and dissemination of the objectives of the OFIL in the Ibero Latin American world.
- Speakers. To address each topic we have an international cast of professionals who share their experiences, both in case of 9 workshops and 3 thematic roundtables, along with personal presentations and lectures, an opening lecture on Pharmacovigilance in Latin America, and other closing raising the Future of Pharmaceutical Care. Complete program communications such as posters, to be presented and the videos on the Rational Use of Drugs to be sent to the contest.
- Awards. As a preview, the Scientific Committee and the Organizing Committee has decided to award the first Awards OFIL «Juan R. Robayo» to pharmacists whose career has meant a great professional contribution in line with the objectives of the OFIL, an Association with Pharmacists from both sides of the Atlantic, with a history of nearly 35 years of existence, has been aimed at establishing bridges of communication and exchange in the world of Pharmacy.
- Social events. The location of the conference on Mexican soil motivates offer samples of their folklore and culture in the pleasant Mexican night schedule, plus a welcome cocktail which will taste traditional Mexican drinks. In the vicinity of Puerto Vallarta, emotions will last in the memory of pleasant way, where the nightlife surrounds visitors with its magic.
- Broadcasting. Social networks facilitate the spread of congress aims to mark a before and after not only regarding OFIL but make an appointment of great interest to pharmaceutical professionals Ibero-Latin American world. From the website of OFIL (www.ofil-internacional.org) as from the OFIL sisters, it has been able to reach large numbers of contacts that in ancient times were unimaginable. We invite you to use the hashtag #ofil2016.
- Mascot. Created for this XVII International Congress, named «OFILia«, all people share their presence, making nice during the event and staying in the memory.
- The Host hotel. At the Sheraton Buganvilias, Congress venue we can enjoy its facilities, and also allow framing all academic activity, agile and attractive way to facilitate and further beautify this important event.
Finally, once listed above, there not remains more to say that we expect in the XVII International Congress of the OFIL and V National Congress of Drugs Rational Use, to exchange experiences to grow in techniques and skills to meet as healthcare professionals, all in the perfect setting of Puerto Vallarta. Remember that it will be an unforgettable event! Make up your mind and join us! Definitely, not to be missed!
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Article in number: VOL. 26 – Nº1 – 2016