International Conference at SSST: Sharing Knowledge and Expertise to Advance Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy Safety

The conference “Clinical Pharmacy and Medication Therapy Management: Responses to Contemporary Crises” brought together national and international experts, addressing important issues related to the development of pharmaceutical services and the improvement of healthcare quality in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

How can treatment safety be improved, medication-related problems prevented, and rational pharmacotherapy ensured? These were among the key questions addressed at the international conference “Clinical Pharmacy and Medication Therapy Management: Responses to Contemporary Crises,” held on September 25, 2026, at Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST), organized by the Department of Pharmacy of the SSST School of Medicine. The conference was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Semira Galijašević.

The conference brought together national and international experts in clinical pharmacy and healthcare, providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge, professional experiences, and best practices. Particular emphasis was placed on opportunities to improve medication therapy management and develop modern pharmaceutical services within Bosnia and Herzegovina's healthcare system.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Azra Bajraktarević, from the Department of Pharmacy at the SSST School of Medicine, spoke about the significance of the conference and its key objectives. She also delivered the opening professional lecture, focusing on the standardization of medication therapy management. In her presentation, she emphasized the importance of a systematic and structured approach to optimizing treatment, improving patient safety, and enhancing the overall quality of healthcare.

The international dimension of the conference was particularly highlighted through presentations on the development of advanced pharmaceutical services in Slovenia, delivered by Prof. Dr. Matej Štuhec, as well as insights into the experiences of the pharmacotherapy counseling service at the Zagreb-Centar Health Center in providing medication therapy management services at the primary healthcare level. These examples of best practices offered valuable insights into opportunities for organizing and integrating such services into the daily operations of healthcare institutions.

The professional program also covered a range of current topics, including the role of clinical pharmacists in ensuring continuity of treatment and safe transitions between different levels of healthcare, the prevention of drug interactions, and challenges related to antimicrobial drug shortages.

Special attention was given to pharmacoeconomics and its role in evidence-based decision-making, rational prescribing practices, and balancing clinical benefits, treatment costs, and available healthcare resources.

One of the central segments of the conference was the panel discussion titled “Perspectives and Challenges for Implementing Medication Therapy Management Services in the Modern Healthcare System of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.” The discussion explored the key prerequisites for developing and integrating these services into the healthcare system. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, a clearer definition of the role of clinical pharmacists, and the establishment of institutional frameworks to support improvements in pharmaceutical care.

The strong interest shown by participants, active exchange of perspectives, and engaging discussions confirmed the conference's importance as a platform for connecting academia and healthcare professionals. Beyond presenting contemporary scientific findings and professional insights, the conference encouraged dialogue on practical opportunities to implement best practices and further develop patient-centered healthcare services.

Holding the conference on World Pharmacists Day, September 25, further emphasized the vital role of the pharmacy profession in ensuring safe, effective, and rational treatment.

By organizing this international event, SSST contributed to professional and academic knowledge exchange, connecting international expertise with local healthcare needs and fostering dialogue on the future development of clinical pharmacy and medication therapy management in Bosnia and Herzegovina.