The role of the Pharmacist in the world of disinformation - workshop on patient health safety
16.04.2026
Olga Sierpniowska, Director of the Office of the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector, participated in the 46th Annual Congress of the European Pharmaceutical Students' Association (EPSA), where she conducted a workshop on the risks associated with falsified medicines and the role of pharmacists in combating health-related disinformation.
The 46th EPSA Annual Congress – the largest European event dedicated to pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences students – was held in Bydgoszcz from 13 to 19 April 2026. This year’s edition brought together approximately 300 students from across Europe under the theme: “Redefining the Role of the Pharmacist in Prevention and Health Education.”
The Congress focused on developing the competencies of future pharmacists and fostering the exchange of knowledge and experience in healthcare. Particular emphasis was placed on the growing role of pharmacists in prevention, health education, and countering health disinformation. The programme included scientific symposia, workshops, panel discussions, and sessions on professional development and international cooperation.
On 14 April, Olga Sierpniowska led a workshop entitled “Fake meds are real danger: the pharmacist’s role in a world of misinformation.” The session addressed the risks posed by falsified medicinal products and highlighted the pharmacist’s role as a trusted source of information, particularly in the context of the increasing scale of health misinformation.
A significant part of the workshop was devoted to the psychological mechanisms underlying patients’ susceptibility to disinformation, as well as to communication challenges in the era of social media. The speaker also discussed the limits of pharmacists’ professional responsibility in responding to patient misconceptions and countering false health narratives.
The workshop was interactive and included brainstorming sessions, case study analyses, and group work based on real-life communication scenarios in pharmaceutical practice. Participants discussed ethical dilemmas, evaluated communication strategies, and jointly developed responses to difficult questions and concerns related to health misinformation.
The participation of a GIF representative in the Congress forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Inspectorate’s international cooperation and to support the education of future professionals in the pharmaceutical sector. The event fostered dialogue between students, public institutions, and experts, while promoting best practices in pharmacovigilance and public health protection.