Gastrointestinal health and digestive wellness can be influenced by several lifestyle factors, including diet and stress, and using certain types of medicines. It is important for pharmacists to consider these factors when interacting with patients who present with such symptoms. Different non-prescription medicines are available to treat symptoms related to GI complaints and digestive wellness, rendering pharmacies key access points for trusted advice and access to self-care products which can provide relief and care to affected individuals. This event marks the World Digestive Wellness Day (29 May).

By the end of the session participants should be able to:
• Understand the role of pharmacists in providing advice on digestive wellness
• Understand the relationship between gut wellness and immunity
• Identify practical ways to support better digestive wellness in the community

Constipation is a common symptom pharmacists encounter in daily practice. It is often a self-limiting symptom that can be adequately managed in the community through the use of non-prescription medicines, as well as dietary and lifestyle measures. This event will explore how community pharmacists may support the management of constipation and empower individuals for optimal self-care.

By the end of the session participants should be able to:
• Understand the role of pharmacists in managing constipation in the community
• Understand the influence of fibre, exercise, and fluids in constipation
• Explore the complications of constipation medicines, especially in older adults

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects people of all ages. Pharmacists can play an important role in symptom management, referral to other healthcare professionals and provision of advice to improve quality of life. This event will provide an overview of the main roles pharmacists can have in supporting people living with IBS, from a community pharmacy perspective.

By the end of the session participants should be able to:
• Discuss the role of community pharmacists around IBS
• Understand the difference in symptoms between abdominal cramping pain and IBS
• Identify red flag symptoms for referral of IBS patients

In many countries, vaccination coverage rates are suboptimal, and vaccination services are largely focused on childhood. Goals to expand vaccination pathways include to have more and more easily accessible vaccination points, and more professionals who can deliver the service to more people and offer evidence-based advice on vaccines. This event will discuss the drivers and barriers to interprofessional understanding, cooperation and task sharing in the area of vaccination in each region, and the regulatory authority granted to different healthcare professionals to prescribe and/or administer vaccines.

Learning objectives:
- Identify drivers and barriers related to the regulatory landscape of vaccination in the region
- Learn about examples of best practices in terms of interprofessional cooperation and task-sharing involving pharmacists in the area of vaccination
- Explore the plans for switching from a pandemic to an endemic response in the region, including the role of pharmacist in vaccination, and in patient care and treatment