Chef Paola Freire and pharmacist-nutritionist Ana Laja led a live healthy-eating workshop in Madrid. The event closed a congress examining how community pharmacies can support nutrition advice.
Fresh salmon and anchovies were prepared as sources of omega-3 at a live workshop in Espacio Larra, Madrid. The session closed the second edition of NutriCOFM, held on 14 October 2026 and organised by the Colegio Oficial de Farmacéuticos de Madrid (COFM). Around 400 professionals examined the role of community pharmacies in nutrition.
Chef Paola Freire and pharmacist-nutritionist Ana Laja demonstrated three simple recipes designed to help people bring healthier eating habits into daily life. The practical session also showed how pharmacists can offer useful nutrition advice through their close contact with the public.
COFM president Manuel Martínez del Peral said pharmacists can promote healthy lifestyles. They can identify risk factors and support people working towards health goals.
The ingredients were familiar. Wholemeal flour featured as a healthier carbohydrate, while figs and mango were used as seasonal fruit. One dressing combined olive oil with vinegar. Salt was also used. Another seasoning paired dill with mustard, and included capers and onion.
Organised by COFM, the congress covered developments in nutrition and prevention, alongside personalised professional advice from community pharmacies. The programme also addressed obesity and self-care. Healthy ageing was another focus. Sessions covered medicinal plants and phytotherapy. Nutritional supplements were also on the agenda, as were digital tools for consultations.
COFM board member and NutriCOFM coordinator María de Quintana said the aim was to equip pharmacists with more knowledge and resources. They could use them to support people with nutrition and prevention. The stated remit also included wellbeing and metabolic health.
COFM cited figures reported by Madrid Diario: more than 55% of adults in Spain have excess weight, and 18% have obesity. A NutriCOFM session on obesity focused on moving from identification to action. It also examined how to assess obesity beyond the number shown on a scale. Supported by Lilly, the session discussed how community pharmacies can help identify people with excess weight or obesity risk, then direct them to further care where appropriate.
Pharmacists can advise people who are losing weight and provide education on healthy habits. Their work can also include individual follow-up. Fátima Matute, public-health director of the Community of Madrid, called for pharmacy advice to be coordinated with health services and public-health strategies. She said recommendations should draw on the best available knowledge.
Hospital care has a related prevention effort: early diabetes screening for first-degree relatives, reported in a separate Spanish health development. NutriCOFM focused instead on nutrition advice delivered through community pharmacies.
Around 30 companies collaborated with the event and presented their latest developments. The congress brought pharmacists and businesses together to help community pharmacies respond to people’s needs.
The programme included professional presentations and practical sessions. It also demonstrated tools used in nutrition consultations, with a focus on turning scientific evidence into clear advice and supporting healthier habits.
