The Indonesian Pharmacy Expo and Conference (IPEC) was successfully held for the first time at the Vasa Hotel Grand Ballroom, Surabaya. The event, which took place on 17 and 18 June 2023, served as an important platform for pharmaceutical industry professionals and industry players to broaden knowledge, build networks, and accelerate the pharmacy business as well as public health through the use of technology and digitalization.
The first day of IPEC, which was held offline, was the result of a collaboration between SwipeRx, the largest pharmaceutical community in Southeast Asia, and the Indonesian Pharmacist Association (IAI). The event was attended by 700 pharmacists and pharmacy owners who were involved in a discussion panel with the theme “Accelerating Pharmacy Services and Public Health with Technology”. This discussion panel was attended by leading pharmaceutical figures, such as the General Chair of PP IAI, Chair of PD IAI East Java, and Chair of Hisfarma East Java.
(Doc: Agung Cahyo Nugroho,SwipeRx)
On day two, IPEC collaborated with the Indonesian Association of Pharmacy Experts (PAFI) to hold an online seminar. This online seminar was attended by the General Chairperson of PP PAFI, Budi Djanu Purwanto, S.H., M.H and the Chairperson of PAFI PD East Java, apt Rudi Kurniawan, S.E., S. Farm., MM offline and also more than 800 participants of Pharmacy Technical Workers (TTK) with the theme “Authorities and Competence of Pharmacy Technical Personnel in Pharmaceutical Practice”. Event participants on both the first and second day had the opportunity to obtain a Professional Credit Unit (SKP) and interact with pharmaceutical companies and related service providers in the exhibition area.
(Doc: Agung Cahyo Nugroho,SwipeRx)
IPEC not only provided discussion forums and seminars but also engaged participants in scientific poster competitions aimed at encouraging innovation and development in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, product expos by SwipeRx partners and entertainment by bands in the capital city also presented new experiences at pharmacy seminars.
(Doc: Agung Cahyo Nugroho,SwipeRx)
The opening of the IPEC event was marked by a spectacular laser show and a keynote speech delivered by the Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, Ministry of Health, Dr. Dra. Lucia Rizka Andalucia, apt, M.Pharm, MARS. In addition, the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, also conveyed remarks represented by Dr. Joni Wahyuhadi, dr., Sp.BS(K), MARS, Director of RSUD Dr. Soetomo.
(Doc: Agung Cahyo Nugroho,SwipeRx)
The launch of the Sanofi Pharmacademy was one of the key moments at the IPEC event. Sanofi Pharmacademy, a result of a collaboration between SwipeRx and Sanofi Consumer Health, is an educational platform that aims to increase knowledge for pharmaceutical professionals. This event also emphasized the role between SwipeRx and Sanofi in presenting innovation and development in the pharmaceutical industry.
(Doc: Agung Cahyo Nugroho,SwipeRx)
A memorable moment at the IPEC event came with the procession of handing over placards to SwipeRx’s business partners who were also sponsors of the event. This is a form of SwipeRx’s appreciation for the important role of principals in supporting the success of the event. SwipeRx’s business partners were awarded for their contribution and support in developing the pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia.
Chairman of PP IAI, apt. Noffendri Roestam, S.Si, who also attended the IPEC event, conveyed his positive impression of this event. He revealed, “This IPEC event is extraordinary, this is an extraordinary collaboration with SwipeRx, and the extraordinary enthusiasm of the participants was seen from the regional administrators. The hope is that this collaboration will not only take place in East Java, but can also be implemented in other district administrators.”
In addition, the event participants also gave positive responses regarding IPEC. They said that this event was very exciting, especially with entertainment such as a laser show and band performances. This new experience gives a different feel to the pharmacy seminar and creates a pleasant atmosphere for the participants.
(Doc: Agung Cahyo Nugroho,SwipeRx)
In addition, the exhibition area at the IPEC event was a place for interaction between event participants and pharmaceutical companies and related service providers. This provided an opportunity for participants to obtain up-to-date information on products and services that are relevant to the pharmaceutical industry. Product expos organized by SwipeRx partners were also an interesting part of this event, where participants could see and learn about the latest innovations in the pharmaceutical industry.
IPEC not only provided benefits for event participants but also for the pharmaceutical industry as a whole. This event strengthened the collaboration between SwipeRx and IAI as well as PAFI, in an effort to improve pharmacy and public health services through the use of technology and digitalization. In addition, the launch of Sanofi Pharmacademy also contributes to increasing the knowledge of pharmaceutical staff.
With the various activities and enthusiasm created at the IPEC Surabaya 2023 event, it can be concluded that this event is a positive step in developing the pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia. Through collaboration, increasing knowledge, and utilizing technology, the pharmacy business can continue to be accelerated with a resulting improvement in public health. IPEC is an important driver for professionals and stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry to continue to innovate and collaborate for the advancement of the health sector in Indonesia.
