Badania opieki farmaceutycznej

TEAM

DR N. FARM.
PIOTR MERKS

DR
REGIS VAILLANCOURT

DR AGNIESZKA BIAŁA

KATARINA FEHIR ŠOLA

EWELINA DRELICH

DR KATARZYNA PLAGENS-ROTMAN,

DR HAB. N. MED. PROF. IGICHP
ZBIGNIEW DONIEC

KAMIL ZARLOK

DR ANETA KRÓLAK-ULIŃSKA

PAWEŁ KULKA

KRZYSZTOF GÓRA

The Polish Pharmacy Practice Research Network team are specialists with many years of experience in science, and the pharmaceutical industry. Our experts provide the highest level of services related to the development of scientific research in the field of practice research network

PPPRN team, PPPRN zespół

DR PIOTR MERKS

Associate Professor, Dr hab. n. med. i n. o zdr. Piotr Merks

Is an Associate Professor, Dr hab. n. med. i n. o zdr. one of the most internationally recognized Polish-licensed pharmacist, Top 100 most influential people in the Polish healthcare system (2024), President of the Polish Pharmacy Trade Union (ZZPF) (www.zzpf.org.pl), General Secretary, Polish Society of Phytotherapy (PTFIT) (https://ptfit.org/), and founder of the Polish Pharmacy Practice Research Network (PPPRN) (www.practiceresearchnetwork.org).

He is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Poland. He currently serves as Scientific Director of Piktorex sp. z o.o., a company supported by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) and Black Pearls VC, which develops validated pictogram-based tools to improve medication adherence and patient–pharmacist communication.

Prof. Merks is an expert in pharmaceutical care, specialising in health literacy and adherence services delivered within integrated healthcare systems. His cross-sector experience spans academia, public health, regulatory agencies, the pharmaceutical industry, and both hospital and community pharmacy. He began his professional journey in the United Kingdom as a registered pharmacist in primary care, delivering public-health pharmaceutical care interventions in underserved communities. This early practice experience inspired his academic focus on social pharmacy and the design of pharmaceutical care services.

He earned his Ph.D. in 2017 from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland, with a dissertation on pharmaceutical service-delivery models in the UK. Prof. Merks founded PPPRN, an interdisciplinary initiative advancing evidence-based pharmacy practice and research in Poland and internationally, and established the Polish Pharmacy Trade Union (ZZPF) to advocate for systemic modernisation of the profession. Since 2012, he has played a leading role in implementing the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD), pharmacy-based immunization services, Emergency Hormonal Contraception, and a government project deploying the Medicine Use Review (MUR) service in Poland.

As an early national ambassador for adherence and reproductive-health initiatives (incl. PBI), he has contributed to awareness campaigns, system deployment and policy dialogue that strengthen interprofessional collaboration and integrated care. He continues to serve as a delegate to the Mazovian Pharmacy Chamber. His work and leadership span pharmaceutical technology, regulatory policy, public health and the modernisation of pharmacy services in line with European and global standards.

PUBLIKACJE
ZGROMADZONE

DR REGIS VAILLANCOURT

DR REGIS VAILLANCOURT

is the vice president of pharmacy affaire at BCE pharma. BCE Pharma is a Canadian leader with its quality management program for compounding preparations in pharmacy. The company’s mission is to provide service and to give support and advice to organizations to help them meet the required standards in effect. He served 25 years as a military pharmacists, Lieutenant Colonel (Military pharmacist), followed by working as a Director of Pharmacy of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) for 16 years from 2005 to 2021.

Throughout his career, Dr. Vaillancourt has worked with different pharmacy organizations. He has served as a board member in different roles such as l’Ordre des pharmaciens du Quebec, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) as vice president, Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists as president, Pharmacists without Borders- Canada as president and more recently as the president of the Ontario College of Pharmacists in 2016-2018.

Dr. Vaillancourt is a surveyor for Accreditation Canada since 2002. Dr. Vaillancourt has published more than 100 peer reviewed articles on pharmacy practice with a focus on medication safety and health literacy. He has been recognised by provincial, national and international pharmacy organisation in receiving different awards: 2021 University of Toronto Alumni Awards Hall of Distinction recipient, 2015 International Pharmaceutical Federation Distinguished Practice

DR REGIS VAILLANCOURT

DR AGNIESZKA BIAŁA

Dr Agnieszka Biala is both a pharmacist and a pharmacologist. She obtained her Master’s degree in pharmacy at the Medical University of Lodz in Poland (2006). Having been fascinated by pharmacology, she pursued a PhD program at the University of Helsinki in Finland (2007-2011). Her subsequent post-doctoral work was conducted at the University of Manitoba (2012-2015) and University of British Columbia (2015-2016) in Canada.

After transitioning into a clinical research management role at the University of British Columbia (2017-2021) in Vancouver, she supported a number of clinical research projects through her involvement in grant development, project management and facilitation of knowledge translation and knowledge dissemination activities. In this capacity, Dr Biala liaised with the Canadian Institutes for Health Research-Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network and Health Canada to design, develop and implement pharmacogenomic studies conducted by the University of British Columbia team that aimed to uncover genetic predictors of diverse adverse drug reactions. Furthermore, in 2019, she organized an international, patient-centered conference titled “Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: From Science to Translation” in Vancouver, with a white paper published post meeting as a joint effort of dermatologists, immunologists, scientific experts, and patients.

Dr Biala has published in peer-reviewed scientific journals; she also wrote two articles that focused on pharmacogenomics and genetic testing uptake in Canada for a Polish magazine, Urtica, which is for clinical pharmacists. Dr Biala is a co-author of the Canadian Clinical Handbook of Psychotropic Drugs. Dr Biala is also experienced in the private sector, where she worked at a Canadian CRO, Alimentiv (2021-2022), supporting the precision medicine portfolio and integration of translational medicine and clinical pharmacology within all clinical research phases.
Passionate about improving healthcare outcomes, drug safety, drug efficacy, and making a positive impact on the lives of patients, Dr Biala is now channeling her experience and knowledge through her independent practice at Biala & Co. Using her unique training and professional experience, Dr Biala aims to address the unmet needs in healthcare and pharmacy.

DR PIOTR MERKS

Katarina Fehir Šola

is a pharmacist born in Croatia. In 1999, she completed her studies at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, and obtained a Master of Pharmacy degree. In 2012, she completed a postgraduate study in Phytopharmacy, earning the degree of Master of Pharmacy specialising in Phytopharmacy and Dietotherapy. After completing her specialist studies, she enrolled in a postgraduate doctoral program. She obtained her Doctor of Science degree by defending her doctoral dissertation in 2022. In 2023, she received the academic title of Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Osijek, Croatia. In 2023, she finished the Healthcare Systems Manager programme of study at the Effectus University of Applied Sciences in Zagreb, Croatia.

After finishing her studies, she began working at a pharmacy (Ljekarna Bjelovar). Within the institution, she quickly became an active provider of pharmaceutical care and the president of the institution’s professional council. Since 2012, she has been a member of the Healthcare Institution Ljekarna Bjelovar’s management board; in 2015, she became the institution’s director. She actively participates in the work of the Croatian Pharmaceutical Society and has been a member of the Management Board of the Podravina and Bilogora Association since 2008. She is a member of the Croatian Chamber of Pharmacists and conducts professional supervision on its behalf. From 2015 to 2019, she served as president of the Commission for International Cooperation. In 2012, she started her international career when she was selected as Croatia’s representative in the international organisation Employed Community Pharmacists in Europe (EphEU), based in Vienna. She became a member of the organisation’s Executive Board in 2012 and served as President in 2019.

D.Sc Fehir Šola has led several public health projects and is actively involved in the local community through palliative care teams and the Health Council of the Bjelovar-Bilogora County. She also lectures in primary and secondary schools as part of the curriculum and is an external associate at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Zagreb.

She has received numerous awards for her professional work throughout her career. In 2009, she was awarded the Diploma of the Croatian Pharmaceutical Society, and in 2012, she received the Golden Plaque for outstanding contributions in the city of Bjelovar. In 2014, 2015, and 2016, she received project awards from the Croatian Society for Patient Safety for her work as project leader or co-leader, and in 2021, she received the “Mr. pharm. Antun Karlovac” Award for significant enhancement of professional work in the field of pharmacy. In 2022, she was declared FIP Champion at the FIP World Congress in Seville, Spain, where she was also an invited plenary speaker.

She authors e-courses, has published over 100 papers and has given lectures at congresses and conferences for pharmacists. She is also the editor of the first Croatian Self-Medication Handbook and Handbook of Dietary Supplements. D.Sc Fehir Šola has published several papers in peer-reviewed journals.

DR PIOTR MERKS

Ewelina Drelich

Ewelina Drelich completed her pharmacy degree in Warsaw, Poland. She worked as a pharmacist in community pharmacies. She graduated of Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Chemical Department University of Łódź and Kozminski University. In 2015 she began work as project manager in Farenta Polska. She was responsible for design, implementation and supervision of research, development of statistical research results, supporting the development of the pharmaceutical industry by providing solutions and necessary tools for visualization and presentation of scientific reports, evaluation of the data provided in terms of compliance with current medical knowledge and preparation of presentations and scientific publications. Nowadays, she is an owner Ewelina Drelich Consulting. She is the member of The Polish Union of the Cosmetics Industry, Polish Association of Cosmetic and Detergent Industry and Polish Society of Cosmetologists Chemists. Her interests are focused on safety of chemicals, cosmetic, medical devices, drug and diet supplement.

DR PIOTR MERKS

Dr Katarzyna Plagens-Rotman

A midwife by professional, a long-term academic lecturer at the Medical University of Karola Marcinkowski in Poznań, a midwife by education, a specialist in gynecological nursing, a specialist in gynecological nursing, has been conducting research for the integration of the medical industry for years working together in the interdisciplinary team including pharmacists.

DR PIOTR MERKS

Dr hab. n. med. prof. IGiChP Zbigniew Doniec

is professor at the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Regional Branch in Rabka-Zdrój and the Academy of Applied Sciences in Nowy Targ. A pediatrician, pulmonologist and allergist with over 40 years of professional experience. He specializes in diagnosing and treating respiratory diseases in children. Initiator of the establishment and long-term President of the Management Board of the IRMA Association of Pediatric Pneumonologists (Initiative for Rabka Medical Asscocation) (2007 – 2015) and the Polish Society of Pediatric Pneumonology (2015 – 2023). National Consultant in the field of pediatric lung diseases (2013-2018). Initiator and co-author of recommendations on the management of asthma in children (COMPAS ASTHMA), cystic fibrosis (COMPAS CF), tuberculosis (COMPAS TB) and other acute and chronic respiratory diseases. Research and development manager and medical consultant of new technology companies in the Krakow Technology Park (Findair sp. z o. o. – Kraków), manager and contractor of NCBiR grants. Member of the team for chronic diseases of the Telemedicine Round Table of the Ministry of Health (since 2022), actively involved in the process of digitization of treatment bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Initiator of the establishment and President of the Management Board of the Polish Society of Phytotherapy (2022), associating doctors, pharmacists and representatives of medical professions interested in the subject of plant medicines. Experts appointed by the society have prepared the first recommendations in Poland for the use of plant medicines in respiratory diseases (STANPHYTO Respiratory, 2023), and further positions are being developed (STANPHYTO CANOPY, STANPHYTO GAstro). Scientific leader, organizer and lecturer of scientific and training conferences, courses and webinars in the field of respiratory diseases, pediatrics and phytotherapy. In this respect, he cooperates with other scientific societies – the Polish Society of Family Medicine, the Polish Pediatric Society and the Polish Allergological Society. Member of domestic and foreign scientific societies (including PTA, PTChP, ERS, EAACI). Author and co-author of over 300 publications in domestic and foreign literature.

DR PIOTR MERKS

Kamil Zarlok

is a polish licensed pharmacist a quality manager and certified internal auditor. Highly motivated, business and solution oriented, open-minded manager with 18 years’ total experience in pharmaceutical industry. His expertise spans various roles, including management, business development, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, quality, vigilance, and compliance. He is known for his effective cross-cultural team management, innovative problem-solving, and commitment to business transformation and change management. Pharmacist from education, manager from passion and leader from practice. Effectively manage cross cultural teams and cross functional projects with out of the box solutions and outstanding problem-solving attitude. Experienced with OTCs, Rx (including reimbursed), MDs, foodstuffs, cosmetics, utility articles; dealt with CP, DCP, MRP, NP. Managed pharmaceutical wholesalers (including being a GDP Responsible Person) and searched for licences across worldwide. Focused on effective transformations and change management. In all his work and activities is showing a huge passion to practice research and EBM. He gathered his experience both from big pharma like USP, Stada, Pierre Fabre, Teva and smaller like Walmark, Vitis Pharma but also as a freelance. In his career performed many lectures on the topic of paediatrics, laryngology and gastroenterology.

DR PIOTR MERKS

Dr Aneta Królak-Ulińska

is a polish licensed physician, specialist in anesthesiology and intensive care, coordinator of the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care in the local hospital in Węgrów, Poland. She graduated from the Medical Academy in Warsaw, 1st Faculty of Medicine.

She is a specialist in anesthesiology and intensive therapy, and also completed Postgraduate Studies as a Transplantation Coordinator at the Medical University of Warsaw.
Dr Karolak-Ulińska, is also interested in aesthetic medicine, so she undertook a Postgraduate Studies in Aesthetic Medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw.

Due to her main stream interests in project management to reduce antibiotic resistance in Polish hospitals, she completed a Postgraduate Studies in the Management of Health Care Organizations at the Warsaw School of Economics.
She uses her interests in AMR projects as a member of the Infections Team at the District Hospital in Węgrów and as the chairwoman of the Hospital Team for Antibiotic Therapy at the District Hospital in Węgrów. She works with our organization on popularization and awareness of AMR among HCP.

DR PIOTR MERKS

Paweł Kulka

is a registered pharmacist with extensive international managerial experience across diverse areas of pharmacy practice.

After completing his degree at the Medical University of Warsaw, he began his career in the UK, working as both a pharmacist and manager with Boots The Chemist to develop community pharmacy services and promote an expanded role for pharmacists among colleagues, physicians and patients. On his return to Poland, he served for several years as a Board Advisor to major pharmacy chains while simultaneously managing teams and advancing as a leader.

As Associate Director at Super‑Pharm, he oversaw a business unit with a multi-layer structure and significant revenues. Seeking to broaden his impact, he joined the public sector as Expert and then Deputy Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector at the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate (Główny Inspektorat Farmaceutyczny). In this role, he contributed to legislative and policy projects spanning clinical research, prescription & reimbursement systems, regulatory affairs, community pharmacy, manufacturing and wholesale operations, quality management, education and research.

His research interests include pharmacy services, clinical research, healthcare system management, quality management and health policy. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Research from Kozminski University, Warsaw. He currently works as an independent business and professional consultant and is a manager in the pharmaceutical wholesale sector.

DR PIOTR MERKS

Krzysztof Góra

is a Polish pharmacist (MPharm, Medical University of Warsaw) specializing in health economics, business development and cannabinoid-based pharmacotherapy. He is the first Polish pharmacist to earn the Certificate of Competency in Clinical Cannabinoid Pharmacy issued by the International Society of Cannabis Pharmacists (ISCPh).

Currently he works in the pharmaceutical industry as a Business Development Manager and serves as a judge at a District Pharmaceutical Court. He is also a healthcare expert at the Center for Development Strategies think-tank.

His previous experience includes: Association of Pharmacy Employers, Public Affairs & Public Relations consultancy, pharmaceutical industry consulting, and four years of day-to-day patient-facing practice in a community pharmacy.

Krzysztof is Vice-President of the Polish Association of Cannabis Therapies (PACT). He is also the only Poland-based mentor and speaker in the Global Leadership Partners international NGO. He lectures at the International University of Social, Medical and Legal Sciences (MUNS).

His research and professional interests include: innovation in pharmacy practice, applied pharmacoeconomics, and clinical implementation pathways for cannabinoid therapies.

TEAM

DR N. FARM. PIOTR MERKS

DR REGIS VAILLANCOURT

DR AGNIESZKA BIAŁA

KATARINA FEHIR ŠOLA

EWELINA DRELICH

DR KATARZYNA PLAGENS-ROTMAN,

DR HAB. N. MED. PROF. IGICHPZBIGNIEW DONIEC

KAMIL ZARLOK

DR ANETA KRÓLAK-ULIŃSKA

PAWEŁ KULKA

KRZYSZTOF GÓRA

The Polish Pharmacy Practice Research Network team are specialists with many years of experience in science, and the pharmaceutical industry. Our experts provide the highest level of services related to the development of scientific research in the field of practice research network

PPPRN team, PPPRN zespół

DR N. FARM.
PIOTR MERKS

DR
REGIS VAILLANCOURT

DR HAB. N. MED. PROF. IGICHP
ZBIGNIEW DONIEC