Walgreens Boots Alliance's Ornella Barra

Alphega Pharmacy's Caitlin Sorrell

Walgreens' Richard Ashworth and Boots UK's Richard Bradley

QuintilesIMS' Doug Long

WBA's Juan Guerra

WBA's Ornella Barra

WBA's Tricia Kennerley

MONACO — Ornella Barra, co-chief operating officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance, addressed members of the company’s Alphega Pharmacy network at its 2017 European Convention.

The event, held March 27 and 28, drew more than 1,200 Alphega delegates from nine countries to the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

Barra spoke to delegates on Tuesday in a keynote presentation on the vision for independent pharmacy.

“Pharmacists are operating in a tough health care landscape, with increased competition, governmental pressures and changing customer expectations,” Barra told attendees. “Despite these challenges, I firmly believe that pharmacists have the qualities and commitment to succeed now and in the future. They have the talent and vision to evolve the profession for the long term, and I look forward to working with our members and partners to seize new opportunities together.”

Other speakers included Caitlin Sorrell, managing director of Alphega Pharmacy Europe; Doug Long, vice president of industry relations for QuintilesIMS; Juan Guerra, senior vice president and managing director of international wholesale for Walgreens Boots Alliance; Richard Ashworth, president of pharmacy and retail operations for Walgreens; Richard Bradley, pharmacy director for Boots UK; and Tricia Kennerley, vice president and director of international public affairs for Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Reflecting the Alphega Pharmacy European Convention’s theme “Close To You,” a series of seminars and workshops emphasized that by getting closer to customers, pharmacists can build trust, drive loyalty and, in turn, boost their business.

Presentations focused on such topics as health care innovation, the pharmaceuticals market, global market developments, Alphega Pharmacy strategy and the power of brands.

Achievements in Alphega’s markets also were highlighted, including Alphega’s launch in Romania, the expansion of Alphega in Turkey, further certification of Alphega pharmacists in France under the network’s Quality Certification program and Alphega loyalty card membership growth in Italy. The convention also marked the success of recently introduced Alphega pharmacy services, such as mole screening, vascular age and diabetes risk awareness.

Overall, Alphega Pharmacy supports more than 6,000 independent pharmacies in the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Romania.