The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7233 p135
25 January 2003

Society summary

2003 conference programme and call for papers now available online

Calls for papers for presentation at the science and practice research sessions of the 2003 British Pharmaceutical Conference are now available online, along with the preliminary programme for the conference. The conference takes place at Harrogate International Centre from Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 September.

The online information can be accessed through the events section of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's website or directly from the website of the conference organiser, Health Links. There are also links from the homepage and "What's new on this site" section of the Society's website.

Those wishing to submit research contributions can access full details of the requirements relating to acceptable categories of research, the preparation of abstracts, the submission of abstracts and the presentation of the research. Abstract submission forms can be downloaded.

The closing date for submissions is 25 April for science abstracts and 31 March for practice research abstracts. Abstracts will only be accepted electronically.

The preliminary programme says that, within the overall conference theme of "Delivering innovation for patients", the conference will examine the development and delivery of breakthroughs in treatment and diagnosis by pharmacists in both industry and practice. The symposium sessions will focus on innovation in cancer care (Day 1), paediatric pharmacy (Day 2) and the delivery of innovation to patients (Day 3). There will also be a focus on pharmacists' continuing professional development throughout the conference.

In addition to the conference sessions there will be a conference exhibition, fringe events (breakfast time and evenings) and evening social events.

An innovation for 2003 will be a special free exhibition at which pharmaceutical advisers and hospital and community pharmacy practitioners will be able to show off their own practice developments and examples of good practice and learn from each other. Those interested in exhibiting are asked to contact Geraldine Bowling (exhibition logistics manager) at Health Links (tel 0121 248 3399; e-mail gbowling@health-links.fsnet.co.uk).

Members of the Society who book by 1 August pay a reduced conference fee of £385+VAT, as do presenters and members of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Joint Pharmaceutical Analysis Group or the UKI Controlled Release Society. The full fee for others is £495+VAT, but bona fide students pay only £100+VAT. One-day fees are also available — members and presenters £135+VAT, full fee £165+VAT, students £35+VAT. All fees rise by at least 25 per cent after 1 August.

Further information about the conference is available from Angela Lyons (events manager) at Health Links, Windsor House, 11a High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7BB (tel 0121 248 3399; fax 0121 248 3390; e-mail alyons@health-links.fsnet.co.uk).

Online hotel booking will be available shortly. In the meantime, information about conference accommodation is available from Jane Manson or Vicky Milner at Procon (01423 564488).