The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7356 p29
2 July 2005

Society summary

BPC programme now available

Bookings for this year’s British Pharmaceutical Conference and Exhibition can now start in earnest with the availability of the full programme and booking form.
The conference, with the general theme “A common vision for health: linking science with practice”, takes place at the Manchester International Convention Centre from Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 September.

The programme and booking form can be downloaded from the conference website (www. bpc2005.org). Copies can also be obtained from Angela Lyons at the conference organiser Health Links (tel 0121 248 3399; e-mail alyons@health-links.fsnet.co.uk).

Conference Committee chairman Gillian Hawksworth says: “The BPC programme has something to appeal to all sectors of the profession. The high-level scientific and practice programmes will emphasise the developments that matter and the opportunities that exist. I am delighted that for 2005 we are once again able to offer full-time students the opportunity to attend for only £5 on the Wednesday.”
Over its three days, the conference will include keynote presentations, up-to-date science topics and a series of “science into practice” sessions. Other sessions include debates on topical issues and sessions showcasing the work of young academics.
Topics for practising pharmacists will include obesity, continuing professional development, antibiotic resistance, legal and ethical challenges for the future, pharmacist prescribing, the implications of the Shipman Inquiry, the implications of the public health White Paper and the new pharmacy contract.

Commenting on the science programme, Conference Science Chairman Duncan Craig said: “A high-level scientific programme will run across the three days, particularly the keynote sessions on the Monday. The science sessions will include issues such as the development of nanomedicines, novel approaches to the imaging of dosage forms and the development of tissues engineering as a therapeutic category. The joint science into practice sessions will address key topics including Alzheimer’s disease and microbial drug ‘super-resistance’.”

Boots The Chemists is “lead sponsor” for the event with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry as “principal sponsor”.

Further conference information, including a summary of each day’s programme, will appear in The Journal shortly.