Piotr Merks

Adiunct Professor , Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland

Dr Piotr Merks is a polish licensed Pharmacist, Adiunct Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland,  Senior Teaching Fellow at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Poland and Funder/ CEO of Piktorex limited company funded by the National Center for Research Development in Poland and Black Pearls VC. Holds international expertise in various pharmacy sectors: educational facilities, governmental and non-governmental bodies, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, community pharmacies. As an educator and innovator Piotr works to empower pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacists as the future leaders in healthcare.

Piotr first started his career as a registered Pharmacist in the UK primary care setting delivering public health interventions to patient in underserved communities across the UK. It was his early experience in practice that inspired him to conduct research in social pharmacy, before moving into the academic sector full time in 2011. He went on to earn his Ph.D in pharmaceutical care services, at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Poland, and achieved his degree in 2017.  Piotr launched the Polish Pharmacy Trade Union (ZZPF) to fight for the rights of employees in pharmacy sector in Poland. Since 2012 he raises awareness around the falsified medicines in Poland, first as a country Ambassador and later as Business Development Director of Aegate Limited, now as an external independent expert.

Dr Piotr Merks has presented widely at national and international meetings and is a recognized leader across the pharmacy profession and, more widely, in science, pharmaceutical technology and innovation. He is also working closely with FIP on development of pharmaceutical pictograms, and Polish pharmacy sector as an Advisor. In 2015, Piotr was appointed to the Board of Mazovian Pharmacy Chamber and International Affairs Section of the National Pharmacy Chamber in Poland.

His work, research and leadership, have been recognized internationally, and he is being invited to many international events as a guest speaker. Throughout his career Piotr has acted as a passionate advocate for the pharmacy profession and has partnered with stakeholders across sectors to align the pharmacy workforce with the Sustainable Development Goals to make an embracing change for the pharmacy as a profession.