The Board of Directors of the Spanish Society of Clinical, Family and Community Pharmacy (SEFAC) has jointly awarded a recognition to Luis Brizuela and Fernando Cantalapiedra for their professional careers "in favor of the professional development of community pharmacy".
This scientific entity has explained that the purpose of this award is "to recognize the work of those professionals who stand out for their efforts to advance the healthcare and assistance work of community pharmacists" and has announced that the award ceremony will take place during the closing act of the XII National Congress of Community Pharmacists, scheduled at the Mar de Vigo Congress Palace Auditorium (Pontevedra) on May 29 and 30.
Shared careers and commitment to community pharmacy
SEFAC has highlighted that "the careers of Brizuela and Cantalapiedra have been professionally linked in numerous scientific and professional projects and initiatives in which they have collaborated", detailing that the former has worked as a community pharmacist in A Coruña since 1997 and has been part of the organization since 2001. "Throughout his career, he has held various positions of responsibility in SEFAC Galicia, including the Presidency", the society has indicated.
Likewise, it has recalled that he also "was coordinator of SEFAC's Electronic Prescription Commission". "Graduated in Medicine and Surgery and in Pharmacy from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), he also holds a Master's in Community Pharmaceutical Care from the University of Valencia", it has added, emphasizing that "since 2018, he combines his healthcare activity in the pharmacy with teaching" as an associate professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the A Coruña university center.
As for Fernando Cantalapiedra, he carries out his professional work in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) and is "associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Alcalá (UAH)", SEFAC has indicated, also specifying that he is "a SEFAC member since 2001" and "has held various positions of responsibility in SEFAC Madrid". In addition, "he has represented the scientific society in the National Plan against Antibiotic Resistance (PRAN) of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)", it has highlighted.
Lastly, the organization has highlighted that this professional "is a member of the Respiratory Group in Primary Care (GRAP) and has participated as a co-author of articles in scientific journals, as well as a speaker at national and international congresses and conferences," and has concluded that both he and Brizuela are now part of "a long list of awardees, which includes Carmen Peña, Francisco Martínez, Miguel Ángel Gastelurrutia, José Ibáñez, Flor Álvarez de Toledo, María José Faus, Marichu Rodríguez, Francisco José Cebrián, Luis Salar, Nicanor Floro Andrés, Carmen Cociña, Neus Caelles, Alejandro Eguilleor and Joaquina Huarte".