General Information
Badges
Participants will be given their name badges at the registration desk. Due to security regulations, all participants and accompanying persons must wear their badges throughout the congress. Only participants with white badges will be admitted to the sessions. Accompanying persons (different badges) may attend the Opening Ceremony and social events but will not be allowed to attend sessions.
Breaks
The coffee breaks during the sessions will be between 10:30 and 11:00 in the morning and between 15:30 and 16:00 in the afternoon. Between the sessions there will be a lunch break from 12:00 to 14:30. Please note that there are also some sessions between 12:30 and 14:00.
Dress
Informal dress is acceptable for all sessions but business attire is recommended for the Opening Ceremony.
Filming, recording and photography production policy
Copyright of the FIP congress is owned by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). FIP reserves the rights to all recordings, reproductions or presentations at this congress. Any photography, filming, taping, recording or reproduction in any medium of any of the programme sessions, events, exhibits and/or posters presented at the FIP congress without the express written consent of FIP is strictly forbidden.
Liability / disclaimer
It is strongly recommended that participants obtain adequate cover for travel, health and accident insurance before they depart from their countries. The FIP Organising Committee, the Argentinian Host Committee, FIP headquarters and MCI Amsterdam accept no liability for the act of any supplier to this congress, nor liability for personal injury, the safety of any attendee while in transit to or from this event, for any loss or damage, for delays in transport by air, sea, rail, road otherwise, in case of weather, strikes, sickness, war or other causes.
Media room
The congress media room will offer a number of services, strictly limited for official press representatives and professional journalists. Press accreditation and press registration are required for access to the media room. For more information, contact FIP at press@fip.org
No smoking
Please note that all FIP Congresses are tobacco-free: Smoking is NOT allowed anywhere, not in the session rooms, not in the exhibition area, not in the poster sessions and not in the registration area.
WiFi
Free WiFi is available in the Pacifico foyers:
WiFi: fip
Code: fip2016
Visa requirements
The invitation letter from the organisers, which can be requested during the online registration process at www.congress.pharmacy, can be used to apply for a visa to Argentina if needed.
All delegates requiring visas for Argentina should contact their nearest Argentinian embassy or consulate in good time, allowing at least eight weeks for your visa to be processed. All delegates, regardless of needing a visa or not, must hold a passport, valid for at least six months after their time of departure from Argentina. They must also ensure that they have transit visas in order should they be necessary.
Dublin is the capital of Ireland and the country’s largest city. It is located on the east coast, overlooking Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea. The Liffey is the main river running through the city, dissecting it into ‘northside’ and ‘southside’.
Dublin is considered the economic and business centre of the country, and government sits here. The city population is 1.3million inhabitants (pop.of Ireland (republic) is c. 4.6million).
As well as retaining historic and cultural charms, the city mixes contemporary and traditional at most every turn. Here you will find the best of cosmopolitan and elegant hotels, trendy bars & restaurants as well as great museums and heritage trails.
Climate
Ireland enjoys a temperate climate with mild winters and cool summers. Late August/September is normally a very pleasant time to visit but delegates are advised to bring an umbrella!
For up to date weather information visit www.met.ie
Currency and Credit Cards
Ireland's official currency is the Euro, the common European currency. Consider that if you travel to Northern Ireland the currency is UK pound Sterling (GBP). However, most large stores in Northern Ireland accept Euro.
Credit Cards are widely accepted particularly Visa and MasterCard. American Express is not accepted as frequently. Visitors hoping to use other credit cards should ask in advance.
Language
English is the spoken language throughout Ireland. Irish (or Gaelic) is the original native language of Ireland and enjoys constitutional status as the national and 1st official language, and it is an official language of the EU. You will notice place names and signage are usually in both languages.
Time Zone
Ireland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Voltage, Sockets and Plugs
220/240 volts (50 cycles) is the standard electrical current with three-pin square plugs, conforming to Irish and British standard. An adapter may be required for electrical devices.
Insurance
Delegates are advised to arrange travel insurance before leaving their home country.
Business Hours
Banks open from 10:00-16:00 from Monday to Friday with the exception of Thursdays where most banks stay open until 17:00. Bank machines (ATMs) are widely available outside of these hours.
Post Offices are generally open from 09:30 to 18:00, Mon - Fri and from 09:30 to 13:00 on Saturday. The General Post Office (GPO), located on O'Connell St in Dublin, is open from 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Saturday.
Bars open from 10.30 to 23.30 between Monday and Thursday. On Friday and Saturday evenings, last orders are at 00:30. On Sundays, closing time is 23:30. The majority of nightclubs serve alcohol until 01:30, and close at 02.30. There are some exceptions to this, mainly in Dublin city.
Shopping
Opening hours are normally from 09:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday with late night shopping on a Thursday evening until 21:00. Most shops are open on Sundays from 12:00 – 18:00. Local convenience stores, of which there are many in city and urban areas, open often from 08:00-23:00.
Telecommunications
Ireland has an advanced telecommunications structure. Only digital phones with GSM subscriptions and a roaming agreement will work on the island of Ireland. It is best to check with your phone provider before leaving home. If you wish to purchase a local SIM-card, network providers are available at the airport as well as on the main shopping streets.
Internet and wifi is widely accessible. Many hotels provide internet connection or wifi free of charge or at an agreed cost. Wifi is available in many cafes, some public places and in the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD). Log-in codes will be provided as necessary.
Emergency Phone Numbers
The emergency phone numbers in Ireland are 112 or 999.
Smoking Ban
Ireland introduced a ban on smoking in all places of work to protect public health and reduce the incidences of smoking-related illness. Smoking is prohibited in public areas– this includes all bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Although most hotel bedrooms may be exempt from the ban, it is applied to all other areas within hotels.
TAX Refunds
Available to visitors at the end of their trip (exception EU residents). Price of most goods includes Value Added Tax (VAT). Ask for a tax-free shopping form with each purchase and present these forms to either Global Tax Free Shopping or Tax Back at the airport prior to your departure to avail of tax refund. Allow a little extra time for this at the airport.
VAT Refund for Delegates
From July 1st, 2007 the VAT element of accommodation expenses incurred when attending a business conference in Ireland can now be claimed back by Taxable Businesses. For further details please visit http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vat/leaflets/conferences.html
