In recent years, the role of community pharmacies across Europe has undergone a significant transformation. Traditionally associated with dispensing medicines, pharmacies are now increasingly moving towards becoming active healthcare service providers, offering counselling, prevention, and even clinical services.

On 17 September, the Estonian Association of Community Pharmacies (EPAL) hosted its autumn conference, “An Engaging Pharmacy,” bringing together representatives from pharmacy, healthcare, and policy across Estonia and Europe.

From 6 September, young people can get vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) at many pharmacies. In Estonia, the HPV vaccine is free of charge for 12–18-year-olds.

Estonia is taking the right—and indeed essential—step to strengthen our healthcare by expanding the provision of pharmacy services. This is not a matter of belief but a well-informed, data-driven decision, a step towards a patient-centered healthcare system that has been tested in other countries and piloted in various projects here in Estonia, writes Ly Rootslane, head of the Estonian Proprietary Pharmacies Association.

On September 10, the annual autumn conference, organized by our largest organization uniting pharmacists, the Estonian Association of Pharmacists' Pharmacies (EPAL), took place in Tallinn. This year’s theme was the resilience of pharmacies in a rapidly changing environment, with the main topic being the evolving role and importance of pharmacies in Estonian healthcare. Below are brief summaries of the presentations.

Rapid response to measles outbreak is critical, as cases this year predicted to soon exceed total number reported in 2023.

Vaccination of boys and men against the human papillomavirus (HPV) reduces their risk of head and neck cancers and other malignancies, a new analysis shows, adding to the vaccine's proven benefit in protecting women from cervical cancer.

This World No Tobacco Day 2024 will give a platform to young people across the world, who are urging governments to shield them from predatory tobacco marketing tactics. The industry targets youth for a lifetime of profits, creating a new wave of addiction. Children are using e-cigarettes at rates higher than adults in all regions and globally an estimated 37 million youth aged 13–15 years use tobacco.