The Pharmaceutical Society of Tanzania (PST) is committed to advancing healthcare in Tanzania by fostering innovation, financial inclusion, and climate resilience to ensure sustainable and equitable access to quality pharmacy care. As Tanzania works toward achieving Vision 2050, the healthcare sector must adapt to pharmacy related challenges posed by climate change while ensuring equitable access to pharmacy services. The 2024 Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) will bring together over 1,000 participants to explore this theme, sub themes and contribute to the development of a healthcare system that is inclusive, innovative, and resilient to climate change allowing the pharmacy profession to utilize its full potential.

Rationale

The impact of climate change and political situations on healthcare, is increasingly evident, with extreme weather events, changing disease patterns, and disruptions in healthcare supply chains posing significant challenges. At the same time, financial barriers continue to limit access to essential quality medicines and healthcare services, particularly in vulnerable communities. This conference will address these challenges by integrating utilization of pharmacy professionals, financial inclusion and climate resilience into the healthcare innovation agenda. Additionally, the launch of the PST SACCOS (Savings and Credit Cooperative Society) will empower pharmacy professionals through financial services that support their professional and personal development, while also contributing to climate-smart investments.

Objectives

1. Promote Financial Inclusion in Pharmaceutical Services

• Discuss strategies to integrate financial inclusion into pharmaceutical services chain, ensuring that all Tanzanians can access quality essential medicines and pharmacy services.

2. Enhance Climate and Political Resilience in Health Commodities Supply Chain

• Explore the impact of climate change and unpredictability of politics on health commodities supply chain and identify innovative solutions to build a more reliable and predictable health commodities supply chain system in Tanzania.

3. Launch PST SACCOS

• Introduce the PST SACCOS as a key financial empowerment tool for pharmacy professionals, providing them with access to savings, loans, and investment opportunities, including climate-smart initiatives.

4. Strengthen Collaboration for Vision 2050

• Foster partnerships between pharmacy professionals and government, private sector, development partners, non-governmental organizations, to drive the Vision 2050 pharmaceutical care agenda (as an important part of healthcare agenda) forward.

Events Subthemes

1. Universal Health Coverage: Positioning Pharmacy for Equitable Health Care

2. Pharmacy: The Key to Successful Primary Health Care in Tanzania - Medicines Beyond Dispensing

3. Health Insurance for All in Tanzania: The Building Blocks for a Robust System

4. Financial Inclusion: A Catalyst for Equitable and Sustainable Health Care in Tanzania

5. Health Insurance for All: Constructing a Robust Financial System for Healthcare Access

6. PST SACCOS and Financial Empowerment: Supporting Pharmacy Professionals for a Sustainable Future

7. Innovation and Technology in Pharmacy: Driving the Future of Health Care

8. Strengthening Partnerships for Vision 2050: Collaborative Efforts for a Sustainable Health Sector