The 58th AESGP Annual Meeting – the annual gathering of the self-care sector in Europe – was held on 7-8 June in Madrid, Spain. The Annual Meeting was the first face-to-face AESGP conference since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bringing together industry leaders and representatives of partner organisations and decision-makers, the conference explored key trends that are transforming the landscape of the self-care industry.
Supporting innovation in self-care at times of uncertainty
Two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to live in a world full of uncertainties. The 58th AESGP Annual Meeting offered interesting discussions on how the self-care industry should tackle the challenges of uncertain times and how to translate these challenges and uncertainties into opportunities for the sector.
- Participants were provided with an overview of the self-care market trends, which recovered from the impact of COVID-19. The new connected consumer is increasingly looking for information on the internet and companies are encouraged to utilise this channel to provide better information to consumers and ensure a better consumer experience overall. It is an opportunity to empower consumers and better address their needs and expectations.
- Uncertain times increase creativity and innovation. As evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, industry and regulators can cooperate successfully and thereby creating an environment that delivers better solutions for patients and consumers.
- Environmental sustainability is at the forefront of political and policy discussions in the EU as well as a strategic priority for Industry. Furthermore, consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of products and Industries.
- As a crucial part of supporting self-care, advertising importantly contributes to health literacy and consumer empowerment to practice responsible self-care. Advertising provides a unique opportunity to work together with different stakeholders, in particular community pharmacists, to encourage behavioural changes and empower responsible self-care.