Portugal Colonial - Side-by-Side Conference Hosts Close to 800 Participants in Malta to Advance Women's Health Care

BUDAPEST, HU / ACCESS Newswire / April 2, 2026 / Developed in collaboration with internationally recognized experts and grounded in peer-reviewed data, the program provided evidence-based updates on recent advances and innovations across key therapeutic areas, underscoring scientific integrity and evidence-based discussions.

Beyond the science, the conference brought into focus how effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients can lead to improved diagnostic accuracy, treatment adherence, and overall patient satisfaction, as emphasized during his keynote lecture by Sukhbir Sony Singh, Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Ottawa.

Day 1 focused on endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Panels of the day featuring renowned specialists of the field followed the patient journey across a broad clinical spectrum - from external influential factors and improving diagnostics, to the importance of early treatment initiation when a uterine condition is suspected. They also addressed the role of hormonal medical management in these complex diseases and shone a light on patient groups too often underrepresented in the conversation, including adenomyosis patients and pregnancy- and surgery-related cases. A central scientific focus was on the only GnRH antagonist combination therapy currently available worldwide, underlining its relevance in the evolving management landscape.

"We need to treat the patient, not just the illness. This shift in mindset is particularly important in endometriosis, a condition that is difficult to diagnose and manage, prone to recurrence, and therefore requires commitment and trust from both healthcare professionals and patients. Today's discussions offered real hope by highlighting a paradigm shift in medicine and diagnostics - one that moves away from surgery as the default option and towards a holistic, patient-centred, and long-term medical approach," said Silvia Vannuccini, Associate Professor at the University of Florence, speaking on Day 1 of theconference.

Day 2 focused on how the choice of estrogen in contraception affects safety, women's health, and overall well‑being, while also addressing the evolving conversation around hormone‑replacement therapy.

The program highlighted findings from the ESCONEC international scientific committee on the safety and user experience of combined oral contraceptives, along with new clinical and real‑world evidence on E4‑based contraception presented throughout the day.

"My takeaway from the second day is that we need to reassess the standards for first-line COC use. There is a consistent body of evidence across multiple aspects of health - including tolerability and mood impact - showing that natural estrogen-based COC regimens, and especially estetrol-based COCs offer significant advantages. This is underpinned by real‑world studies that mirror the findings of clinical trials," said Mitchell Creinin, Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of California who chaired both panels on Day 2 of the conference.

During the congress, the importance of open communication between healthcare professionals and women across all life stages was highlighted. Gedeon Richter is committed to support HCPs with a series of counselling programs developed with renowned experts from across Europe. On Friday morning Helena Kopp Kallner, Senior Lecturer and Professor at Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Teresa Bombas, President of the European Society for Contraception and Reproductive Health introduced a practical framework for enhancing contraceptive counselling through the Making Sense of Contraception Educational Programme and brought it to life with interactive workshop exercises. Later, Petra Stute, President of the European Menopause and Andropause Society presented the Modernizing Menopause Counselling Project, which aims to support meaningful dialogue between clinicians and women experiencing menopausal symptoms. Across both initiatives, trust plays a pivotal role. Reinforcing trust between clinicians and women-and supporting women's confidence in their chosen option-is essential to enabling effective shared decision making and delivering holistic care.

About Richter

Richter aspires to be a global innovator in some key scientific fields, while dedicated to making medicines more accessible worldwide. Founded in 1901, headquartered in Hungary, with a market capitalization of EUR 4.8bn and sales of EUR 2.3bn in 2025, it operates Central Europe's largest R&D hub. Its research drives breakthroughs in Neuropsychiatry and Women's Healthcare, while Biotechnology and General Medicines strengthen its affordable treatment portfolio. Committed to sustainable growth, Richter invests in R&D, manufacturing excellence, and digitalization to advance medical innovation. Learn more at www.gedeonrichter.com

Media Contact:
Zsuzsanna Beke
Head of Global Public Relations, CSR and Public Affairs

Gedeon Richter Plc.
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Gedeon Richter Plc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

A.Santos--PC