UCC Archives - European Industrial Pharmacists Group (EIPG)

Environmental sustainability: the EIPG perspective


Piero Iamartino Although the impact of medicines on the environment has been highlighted since the 70s of the last century with the emergence of the first reports of pollution in surface waters, it is only since the beginning of the Read more

How AI is Changing the Pharma Industry and the Industrial Pharmacist's Role


Svala Anni, Favard Théo, O´Grady David The pharmaceutical sector is experiencing a major transformation, propelled by groundbreaking drug discoveries and advanced technology. As development costs in the pharmaceutical industry exceed $100 billion in the U.S. in 2022, there is a Read more

Generative AI in drug development


by Giuliana Miglierini Generative AI is perhaps the more advanced form of artificial intelligence available today, as it is able to create new contents (texts, images, audio, video, objects, etc) based on data used to train it. Applications of generative Read more

Webinar: Oral Colon Drug Delivery – Design Strategies

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EIPG webinar

Next EIPG webinar is to be held on Wednesday 21st of February 2024 at 17.00 CET (16.00 GMT) in conjunction with PIER and University College Cork. Anastasia Foppoli, will discuss on the various approaches and the general aspects relevant to the design and technological features of colon drug delivery systems, for the local treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases the control of colonic bacterial growth and the improvement of the bioavailability of orally administered polypeptides and proteins.

Increasing interest is directed to delivery systems able to control the site of release. In this respect, colon drug delivery has been suggested for the local treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, the control of colonic bacterial growth and the improvement of the bioavailability of orally administered polypeptides and proteins. Various approaches have been attempted including the use of prodrugs, coatings degraded by microflora enzymatic activity, and polymeric coatings which dissolve at specific pH. Another strategy relies on the exploitation of the relative constant small intestine transit time of pharmaceutical dosage forms. This talk includes the rational basis for various approaches, the general aspects relevant to the design and technological features of colon drug delivery systems, together with their classification and definition.

Anastasia Foppoli is Associate Professor at the School of Pharmacy, University of Milan.
After graduating in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Milan in 1998, she earned a PhD from the University of Cagliari. In 1999, she attended the School of Pharmacy of the University of Minnesota as a visiting scientist, dealing with the study of solid-state properties of drugs and excipients. She is the author of more than 60 publications, including research papers, reviews, book chapters and patents in the drug delivery area, and presented numerous lectures at national and international conferences. Her current research interests, within GazzaLaB Research group, concern the design and preparation of conventional as well as modified release oral dosage forms. She serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Elsevier, Amsterdam, NL) and Pharmaceutics (MDPI, Basel, CH), and is peer reviewer for several major journals in the field of pharmaceutical technology. She is member of SITELF, SCI, CRS Italy Local Chapter and AFI.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

  1. Understand the rational for colon delivery.
  2. Define the various physiological determinants to the design of colon delivery systems.
  3. Compare the different approaches proposed, criticalities and limitations.
  4. Be informed on well-established and emerging technologies involved in the manufacturing of colon delivery systems.
  5. Recognize the possible regulatory impact of colon delivery systems

Please register by filling out the Registration Form. Keep a record of the streaming details of the event that will be shown on your screen at the time of your registration.


Webinar: Building a healthier and more environmentally sustainable future

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EIPG webinar

Next EIPG webinar is to be held on Thursday 26th of October 2023 at 17.00 CEST (16.00 BST) in conjunction with PIER and University College Cork. Kirsty Reid, Director for Science Policy at EFPIA, will discuss the various proactive initiatives and reactive activities undertaken by industry forming the basis behind building a healthier and more environmentally sustainable future within the healthcare sector. Kirsty holds a PhD in biology and for the past 18 years she has worked closely on research, EU public and regulatory affairs covering alternatives to animal testing, environment, health, safety and sustainability issues.

The European Green Deal, launched by the Commission in December 2019, is a package of policy initiatives, which aims to set the EU on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050. The pharmaceutical sector operations, the supply chain, pharmacies and patients will be impacted by the European Commission’s Green Deal initiative which focuses on climate, zero pollution, chemicals, and circular economy. Furthermore, there are ongoing decisions taking place to restrict certain substances or technologies which can potentially disrupt continuity of supply for specific products or platforms. The pharmaceutical package published on the 26 April, specifically calls out these legislations linking them to the environmental risk assessment of medicinal products.

At the end of this webinar attendees will be able to:

  1. Appreciate the April 2023 Pharmaceutical Package in relation to the European Commission’s Green Deal.
  2. Discuss the multiple ongoing actions to reduce emissions.
  3. Assist in the development of initiatives for your company’s Environmental Risk Assessments of medicinal products.

Please register by filling out the Registration Form. Keep a record of the streaming details of the event that will be shown on your screen at the time of your registration.


EIPG General Assembly and Elections 2023

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At the General Assembly held on 10th September in Brussels, voting took place for the positions of EIPG Treasurer and Vice-Presidents of Communications, European Affairs and Education and Careers.

The delegates present at this annual meeting elected Maurizio Battistini as Treasurer for the next two-year mandate. Giorgos Panoutsopoulos was elected to the position of Vice-President of Communications for the next 3 years, Anni Svala as Vice-President of European Affairs for 1 year and Astrid Thorissen as Vice-President of Education and Careers for 3 years.

Piero Iamartino presented the Past- Presidents award to Claude Farrugia for his exceptional contribution as President for two mandates. Jean-Pierre Paccioni was presented with a President’s Award for his valuable support with administrative operations in EIPG. In their absence from the meeting, an Outstanding Services award was made to Brigitte Saunier for her contribution to the financial management and a President’s award was made to Patrick O’Dwyer for his flawless technical support in the organisation of our webinars from University College Cork.

President Piero Iamartino together with the rest of the Bureau highlighted the main strategic objectives and confirmed their commitment to developing and promoting the position of the industrial pharmacist in Europe.


Webinar: The impact of pharmaceuticals on the environment

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At the next EIPG webinar to be held on Wednesday 9th November at 17.00 CET (16.00 GMT) in conjunction with PIER and University College Cork, Bengt Mattson will present the impact of pharmaceuticals on the environment and what industrial pharmacists can do to help decrease the potential environmental impact.

Understandable concerns have been expressed regarding the presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Environmental protection contributes to safeguarding the health and safety of future generations. However, medicines play a critical role in ensuring a high level of public health.

Bengt has been the co-chair of the European industry’s Inter-Associations Task Force on Pharmaceuticals in the Environment for the past 8 years. He will discuss R&D initiatives, which influence green manufacturing and design safe, rational and effective use of medicinal products and the correct disposal of any unused or expired medicines.

The competence of industrial pharmacists in participating in these initiatives will be discussed.

This is an event for members of EIPG member organisations. Contact your national association EIPG representative for further information.