By Danijela Szili.
The DIA (Drug Information Association) is global-wide working association which provides networking opportunities and information about innovation in science and pharmacy by organising events and training courses over the entire world.
The biggest get-together on our continent this year was the Euromeeting 2013 (March 6th RAI centre, Amsterdam) with more than 3,000 participants.
RSE had two representatives: Gerard Ngyuen was one of the speakers and Danijela Szili presented a poster about Rett Syndrome and RSE.
On one hand there is the educational program with 15 different themes every day. Each theme consisting of 4 sessions per day, with multiple speakers from diverse backgrounds in each one. This way you get a really good impression and round-about information on the topic being discussed, coming from the pool of hottest topics of the industry. It is possible to jump from theme to theme, if you find things interesting – this way you can puzzle out your unique program related to your personal interests.
On the other hand there is the big exhibition hall, where pharmaceutical and pharma-supporting companies, CROs and NPOs are represented.
I addition, the meeting is a perfect place for networking, having several designated places and events where people can meet, make contacts and discuss the topics they are interested in. DIA events are world famous for their networking-friendly environment.
It’s one of the best opportunities in Europe to make contact with the main stakeholders from the pharmaceutical world, from the industry to the regulators.
Thanks to Yann Le Cam (EURORDIS) and Dr. Yves Juillet (LEEM and DIA Board member) patients have been able to attend DIA Meetings and benefit from:
-participating in a high-level professional healthcare conference ;
-improving their knowledge of regulatory affairs, drug development, clinical trials and innovative therapeutic areas ;
-an excellent networking forum (meeting with high-level professionals, representatives from national and European competent authorities,regulators from European Medicines Agency).
For the first time this year the DIA Fellowships meeting – patients’ representatives and students took place during the Euromeeting.
Meeting started with Introduction to history of patients’ fellowships by Maria Mavris (EURORDIS). It was followed by
Introduction and description of European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association EPSA by Pedro Barroca http://www.epsa-online.org/
Patients and Students were encouraged to mix and engage in informal round table discussions and then feedback to the whole group.
Take Home Messages:
1. There are common areas where students could work with patients’ organisations – internships are a good possibility
2. Important for pharmacy students to have more exposure to patients and to discuss and collaborate with them
3. Patients also gained an awareness of the diversity that exists in delivery and focus of pharmacy courses
4. Potential room for collaboration in awareness raising programs