The 19th Scientific Conference of the Eritrean Pharmaceutical Association (ERIPA)
The 19th Scientific Conference of the Eritrean Pharmaceutical Association (ERIPA) was successfully held at Asmara Palace under the theme: “Enhancing pharmacy professional excellence for better health outcomes.”
The conference brought together pharmacy professionals, researchers, and healthcare stakeholders to discuss critical issues shaping pharmaceutical practice and public health in Eritrea.
The event featured a keynote address by Mr. Abraha Ghebre, President of ERIPA, who emphasized the importance of strengthening professional standards, advancing research, and promoting evidence-based practice to improve health outcomes nationwide.
A series of research papers were presented by experts, covering diverse and timely topics, including:
- The relationship between paracetamol exposure during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder, with a critical analysis of epidemiological evidence, biological plausibility, and regulatory perspectives;
- Eritrea’s progress toward self-reliance in revising its essential medicines list, highlighting key strategies, challenges, and lessons learned;
- Antibiotic prescribing practices using the WHO Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) classification, based on a cross-sectional study;
- Trends in bloodstream infection-causing bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance patterns, based on a multisite retrospective study in Asmara from 2014 to 2022;
- Patterns, safety, and determinants of prescribed medicines among pregnant women attending health facilities in Eritrea.
The conference served as an important platform for knowledge exchange, reinforcing the role of pharmaceutical professionals in advancing healthcare quality, rational medicine use, and patient safety.
