Kazimiera Klementys, Małgorzata Dołowy, Lucyna Bułaś, Grażyna Janikowska, Maria Zych, Mariola Chudzik, Paweł Ramos, Ilona Kaczmarczyk-Żebrowska, Piotr Brukiewicz, Ewa Chodurek

Development and key initiatives of the Katowice Branch of PTFarm  in the years 2021–2026

DOI: 10.32383/farmpol/224738

2026-07-14

On February 11, 2026, the Katowice Branch of the Polish Pharmaceutical Society celebrated its  75th anniversary. The article outlines the branch’s activities over the past five years, continuing the narrative from an article published in 2021 in “Polish Pharmacy” that detailed the branch’s 70-year history. During the analyzed period of 2021–2026, which included the 25th and the beginning of the 26th term of the Katowice Branch, the leadership structure saw Dr Grażyna Janikowska serve as president of the Board from 2021 to 2025, followed by Dr Lucyna Bułaś.  Throughout both terms, Dr. Kazimiera Klementys maintained the role of vice president. As in previous years, the Board’s management fostered a close cooperation with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Medical University of Silesia as well as the Silesian Chamber of Pharmacists in Katowice. This resulted in the successful organization of numerous conferences and meetings that were initiated by their predecessors.

A notable, new, initiative was the introduction of the “It’s Worth Talking” discussion meetings, aimed at facilitating innovative and engaging discussions on topics that met the current needs and expectations of the pharmaceutical community. In parallel, from 2025 the formula of the “Silesian Pharmaceutical Scientific Meetings - From Science to the Patient” was expanded to encourage broader participation including young scientists and employees representing Polish and foreign universities.

The activities of the branch were significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which lasted until July 2023, and necessitated the conduct of current activities only in the form of webinars and video conferences on various communication platforms.

 In-person meetings were resumed only in the second half of 2023. The tradition of the Senior Pharmacy Club meetings, operating under the auspices of the Katowice Branch of PTFarm, was continued. A series of events dedicated to pharmacists, university staff and pharmacy students was organized to support the development the pharmacy profession. The lectures and discussions provided excellent material to prepare students for their future professional work.

One of the key elements of the Board’s activity was its cooperation with the student section of Young Pharmacy Sosnowiec, which was based on mutual support in the implementation of various initiatives. Students participated in many educational meetings on health promotion and encouraged high school students to pursue studies in the pharmaceutical sciences.

In summary, the work of the PTFarm Branch Board in Katowice from February 2021 to February 2026, it is worth emphasizing that the active and long-term work of the Board members, conducted on a voluntary pro publico bono basis, as well as kindness and selfless commitment of many people with whom the Board had the privilege of cooperating, deserve special recognition.

Keywords: Polish Pharmaceutical Society, Katowice Branch, activities, history.

© Farm Pol, 2026, 82(1): 45–55