Participation of UPIP-VAPI to the General Assembly of the European Industrial Pharmacists Group (EIPG).

The General Assembly (GA) of the European Industrial Pharmacists Group (EIPG) took place in Casablanca (Morocco) from 04 May to 06 May 2018. Alexia Rensonnet (board member) and Thomas Lion (board member and EIPG delegate) represented the Belgian Association. It was the first time that the annual event was organized outside Europe. Morocco (with its association: C.O.P.F.R: Conseil De L'Ordre Des Pharmaciens Fabricants Et Répartiteurs) being an observer member of the European association, it was a real honour and a joy for them to welcome their European colleagues as mentioned by Fatima Lahmouddi, the president of the association.
The GA started with a scientific symposium "Morocco's Pharmaceutical Industry: Player in healthcare access in Africa" in presence of the Moroccan authorities. In fact, Moroccan pharmaceutical industry is recognized as European zone by World Health Organization thanks to the quality of its products and its good manufacturing practices. Moreover, it can be an actor to fight against falsified medicines in Africa thanks to its presence and its local manufacturing.

During the GA, the Belgian Association UPIP-VAPI was mentioned several times and recognized for its very active and pertinent contribution to the work of EIPG, for instance for the review of the new Annex 1 (Manufacture of Sterile Medicinal Products) in the Eudralex or for the review of QP code of conduct. Claude Farrugia, president of EIPG, mentioned also that our GA in February 2018 in the presence of the Princess Astrid was a real success and that it is very positive that the association is now also open to people who are not pharmacists but working in the pharmaceutical industry. The work of the Belgian Association was applauded by all the participants. The national associations from the other countries were encouraged to contribute to the European association in a similar manner as it is the case for Belgium.
During the GA, two working groups were also organized. The first was entitled: "Safety Features and Qualified Person Responsibilities". It considered the responsibilities of Qualified Persons involved in serialisation. The structure of a guidance document was discussed.

The second was entitled: "Preparing for Brexit: the Impact on European industrial pharmacists". Commenting on the outcomes of the Working Groups, EIPG President Claude Farrugia noted that since the Falsified Medicines Directive deadline coincides with Brexit, this exacerbates the potential risk to the availability of medicines in United Kingdom.

The next GA will take place in Hungary in May 2019.