Supported by
Media Partner
Education Partner
Training Partner
Latest News & Press
Pharmacy professionals turn out in record numbers at the Pharmacy Show
The two-day conference and exhibition saw more than 240 UK and international suppliers of POM, pharmacy and OTC medicines, GSL and healthcare products, technology, automation, training and business services on the event’s largest ever exhibition floor.
The Pharmacy Show has grown in attendance by 94% since organisers CloserStill Media Healthcare acquired the event from Nick Orton and Pioneer Global Media just two years ago, and has established itself as the largest source of live CPD training for pharmacists and technicians. The event is supported by every major pharmacy industry body, and has become the UK’s largest sourcing exhibition for specialist pharmacy medicines, products and technology.
Delegates were offered more than 50 hours of CPD education from five conferences – the C+D Keynote Conference, the Pharmacy Services Forum, the Pharmacy Business Accelerator, the OTC Academy and the Skills & Development Forum.
Notable speakers, from a faculty of more than 45 speakers throughout the two days, included the former Secretary of State for Health Alan Milburn who delivered a hard-hitting and frank assessment on the new White Paper, Duncan Rudkin, Managing Director from the new regulator GPhC, PSBC Boss Sue Sharpe, PharmSoc Chief Executive Helen Gordon, Pharmacy Tsar Jonathan Mason, CCA Chief Executive Rob Darracott, Rowlands Pharmacy Managing Director Kenny Black, AAH Pharmaceuticals boss Mark James, Numark boss Tony Mottram, NPA Chairman Ian Facer, pharmacy clinical leader Stephen Foster and chairman of the Independent Pharmacy Federation Fin McCaul.
“We are really pleased with the results of the show this year” says Michael Westcott, Managing Director at Closerstill Media Healthcare. “Feedback from last year’s revamp was extremely positive and this year the industry has acknowledged that the show has risen to a new level again”.
New for 2010 included a full programme of special events including wholesaler AAH’s Early Bird Breakfast and the AGM of its All About Health members.
The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) ran two events at the show including its annual Pre-Reg Conference and a joint special debate with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society on supervision.
Other industry groups, including the Primary Care Pharmacists’ Association (PCPA), the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), the Institute of Pharmacy Management International (IPMI) and NHS Commissioning Network all held member meetings and networking events at the show.
“The programme of presentations at this year’s show is the strongest it’s ever been. The conference side is very useful, but it’s the networking that’s really great. You meet so many people here, there’s no other event of this scale specifically aimed at the pharmacy market”. Alistair Buxton, head of NHS services, Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee
“The Pharmacy Show is the main event for us and the only show we exhibit at. The networking opportunities at the show are immense; I’ve seen people here today that I haven’t seen for 20 years”. Alison Ewing, council member, Institute of Pharmacy Management.
Also well received by delegates was the France Pavilion where The French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE presented six innovative manufacturers of cosmetics, perfumes, dietary supplements and other over-the-counter pharmacy products.
The 1000 Club gave VIP delegates nominated by the trade, industry organisations and partners of the show, access to fast-tracked entry, priority seating in all conference theatres and access to the 1000 Club Members' Lounge where members networked in comfort and accessed complimentary hospitality served throughout the day.
The 9000 sqm exhibition featured hundreds of new products and services from more than 240 suppliers with some of the biggest names in pharmacy including Pfizer, AAH, Numark, Reckitt Benckiser, Avicenna, and ARX, new names included Sandoz, McNeil Healthcare, Willach Pharmacy Solutions, and SSL International. Also new for 2010 included the Natural Pavilion which hosted companies such as Natures Dream, Natures Plus, and McClaren Europe.
“It’s been a wonderful show. We had a great stand and lots of interest. The Pharmacy Show attracts exactly the right market for use, and we never expected to get the amount of people we did. The organisation has been fantastic and we were the first to rebook for next year”. Maxime Fourdrinois, European market manager, Robotik Technology.
“This is the first time we have exhibited at The Pharmacy Show. We are trying to grow in the pharmacy sector, so being here is a great opportunity for us. We’re getting our product in front of new people and have even opened some new accounts”. Harry Littlewood, UK brand manager, Salus UK.
“The record attendance, the growth in the exhibition, the added strength and depth to the education programme coupled with the introduction to CPD record aids has made a pretty compelling proposition which seems have been widely embraced across the pharmacy community”, said Michael Westcott, director at organiser Closerstill Media Healthcare.
Westcott added that more than 95% of the exhibition space has already been booked by exhibitors for the 2011 event which returns to the NEC on October 9th and 10th, 2011.
-Ends-
For media information please contact Marketing Manager Lucy Pitt or event information contact Show Director Michael Westcott on 01926 485 151.
