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. The day focused on how pharmacies can better support primary care, ensure more reliable access to medicines, and strengthen the role of digital solutions alongside patients’ more active participation in their care journeys.
A European Perspective: Pharmacies as Part of Primary Care
The conference opened with remarks by Ly Rootslane, EPAL’s Chair, who underlined that primary care still holds many untapped opportunities for collaboration. Family doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and dentists must work more closely to address medicine supply disruptions and improve information flows. Rootslane highlighted that expanding pharmacists’ authority to substitute medicines more flexibly would alleviate several persistent issues.
Clare Fitzell, President of the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU), outlined developments in pharmacy services across Europe. COVID-19 accelerated the expansion of pharmacies’ role—vaccinations, prescription renewals, and new first-line services have become commonplace. A new European pharmacy services mapping, due in 2025, will show clear progress compared with five years ago.
Kaili Semm, Policy Officer at the European Commission, presented the far-reaching pharmaceutical reform aimed at the three “AAA” goals: better access, affordability, and availability of medicines. The reform also addresses antimicrobial resistance, reducing environmental impacts, and advancing digital solutions.
An Estonian Perspective: Preparing Pharmacies for Change
The second session opened with Anneli Taal, who noted that Estonia lags roughly a decade behind leading countries in integrating health and social services. Strengthening the role of pharmacies in primary care requires better access to health information systems and a shared county-level cooperation model.
Piret Põiklik, Head of the Medical Devices Department at the Estonian Medicines Agency, provided an overview of the medical devices landscape, where EU regulations are shaping the market’s future. While stricter rules may reduce the range of devices available, they enhance patient safety.
Taimar Peterkop, Senior Cybersecurity Expert at the e-Governance Academy, addressed cybersecurity in pharmacies and healthcare. He noted that cyberattacks have doubled in recent years, with human factors posing the greatest risk. His practical recommendations for pharmacies included enabling two-factor authentication, timely system updates, and rapid incident reporting.
Panel Discussion: Is Primary-Care Collaboration Really Possible?
The conference concluded with a lively panel featuring family doctor Reet Laidoja, emergency physician Dr Kuido Nõmm, pharmacy leader Janika Tähnas, nursing collaboration advocate Gerli Liivet, and dentist Dr Anastassia Kuldmaa. The discussion was moderated by Ly Rootslane and Mart Kuusk.
Panellists agreed that, although Estonia has a sufficient number of pharmacies, the most pressing issues are medicine supply shortages and fragmented information about availability and substitution. They stressed the need to harmonise pharmacy assortments and to expand pharmacists’ rights for therapeutic substitution. While patients’ growing health literacy and preventive habits are welcome trends, they can also fuel health anxiety—hence the importance of a consistent, evidence-based message from all healthcare professionals.
Our Thanks and the Road Ahead
EPAL extends heartfelt thanks to all participants, speakers and partners for their insightful contributions and fresh perspectives. The conference demonstrated that collaboration in primary care is not only possible—it is indispensable for delivering a safe, modern, and patient-centred care pathway.
See you at the next autumn conference in 2026.
Estonian Association of Community Pharmacies (EPAL)