Opella promotes practical advice in pharmacies.

PharmAcademy 2026 connected 1,500 pharmacists at 22 locations, focusing on managing skin, respiratory, and digestive issues, and introducing the 5-step "Pharmacist's Hand" formula for in-pharmacy consultations.

Changes in the living environment and modern lifestyles are complicating many common health problems in the community. Air pollution, ultra-processed foods, and antibiotic abuse not only affect overall health but also significantly impact three crucial biological gateways of the body: the skin, respiratory system, and digestive system. These are also the issues that pharmacists frequently encounter and help people address with initial treatment.

Responding to this practical need, on the morning of April 22, 2026, Opella Vietnam, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Pharmacy Association, organized PharmAcademy 2026, a scientific seminar on the topic: Addressing common problems at 3 important biological "gateways". The program attracted 1,500 pharmacists participating at 22 locations nationwide, connecting directly from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and via online platforms.

Enhancing counseling capabilities in pharmacies.

From a professional perspective, the workshop not only provided additional knowledge but also aimed at a more specific goal: supporting pharmacists in improving their ability to provide advice directly at the counter. With the message "Steady hands in dispensing medicine - Steadfast customer trust," PharmAcademy 2026 focused on practical application, helping pharmacists gain a clearer foundation when approaching common situations related to skin, respiratory, and digestive issues.

A large number of pharmacists participated in PharmAcademy 2026 at various locations nationwide.

A notable aspect of the program is the 5-step "Pharmacist's Hand" formula: Inquire - Examine - Select - Instruct - Schedule. This model is presented as a practical consultation process, helping pharmacists move from identifying needs and assessing situations to selecting appropriate solutions and providing follow-up guidance. In the context of pharmacies increasingly being expected to be accessible healthcare centers within the community, such a systematic approach is considered essential.

From a business perspective, Valentina Belcheva, General Director of Opella Vietnam and Cambodia, stated that Opella inherits a long-standing foundation in the healthcare sector and views Vietnam as a strategic market. She emphasized that quality is fundamental to the solutions the company pursues. According to her, pharmacists are a crucial link to patients, therefore Opella implements programs like PharmAcademy to support knowledge updates and enhance consulting capabilities at pharmacies.

Updated practices in the management of dermatological, respiratory, and gastrointestinal conditions.

In terms of professional content, the workshop focused on three common issues at three key biological "gateways".

Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Thi Lam, Head of the Clinical Immunology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, presented on the impact of the environment on biological "gateways" and the antihistamine-probiotic approach in treating chronic urticaria. According to the speaker, the modern living environment and lifestyle are increasingly affecting the body's natural defenses, with chronic urticaria being a skin condition that can significantly impact the daily life and quality of life of patients.

In the field of respiratory medicine, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Cong Dinh, Head of the Department of Otolaryngology, Bach Mai Hospital, focused on strategies for managing allergic rhinitis in the context of climate change and air pollution. The lecture highlighted how these factors are contributing to both the incidence and severity of the disease, highlighting the need for pharmacists to adopt a more systematic approach to counseling in pharmacies.

Regarding gut health, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Head of the Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, clarified the risks of microbial imbalance under the impact of ultra-processed foods and antibiotic abuse. The speaker also emphasized the role of pharmacists in supporting the "protection" and "reconstruction" of the microbial barrier through proper advice in daily practice.

Experts exchange ideas with pharmacists in the professional discussion session.

Building upon those professional recommendations, the workshop also introduced several solutions to support pharmacists in their in-counter consultation practice.

Within the field of allergic diseases, Telfast is mentioned in the context of allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria, with superior therapeutic efficacy in controlling symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients.

In the gut health group, Enterogermina is recommended as a supportive option in cases of common microbial imbalances, such as acute diarrhea, antibiotic-induced diarrhea, or certain digestive problems related to microbial imbalance.

Additionally, the combination of antihistamines and probiotics is also suggested as an additional supportive option for situations related to the skin-respiratory-digestive axis.

A memorable moment with the experts and representatives of the organizing committee.

Partnering with pharmacists in community healthcare.

The Q&A session at the end of the program included many questions from pharmacists revolving around common consultation situations encountered in pharmacies. This shows that the need to update practical knowledge and standardize consultation skills within the pharmacist community remains very high.

Following the first event, PharmAcademy 2026 will continue to implement activities for pharmacy pharmacists. Those who fully complete the modules and requirements of the program will have the opportunity to receive a CPE, thereby continuing to be supported in the process of improving their capacity to advise and care for community health.

Huyen My

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/opella-thuc-day-tu-van-thuc-tien-tai-nha-thuoc-16926052610222019.htm