09.09.2025
Let’s turn back time to 1982. The year Poul Schlüter became Prime Minister, Ungdomshuset opened on Jagtvej 69, and the first CD player hit the market.
It was also the year when the pharmaceutical world congress, FIP, was once again held in Denmark.
The venue was the Bella Center, and Queen Ingrid attended the grand opening ceremony.
So did Steffen Bager and Jesper Gulev Larsen.
Today, they are known as prominent figures in the Danish pharmaceutical world – Steffen Bager as former president of Pharmadanmark and Jesper Gulev Larsen as the current president of the Danish Association of Pharmacies. But back in 1982, they were just two ordinary students attending the FIP Congress for the very first time.
“We used slide projectors for the presentations, but honestly, the atmosphere feels the same today as it did back then.”
Steffen Bager was tasked with organizing the buses that shuttled participants between the many events spread across Copenhagen during the congress.
It was a logistical challenge – but also a fun job for a young student full of energy.
He recalls telling visiting participants anecdotes about Copenhagen and Danish traditions – and even introducing foreign guests to Danish queue culture.
“One day, a man cut in line for one of the buses and loudly complained when I politely told him he had to wait his turn. He asked if I knew who he was – and I didn’t. But here, the rule was clear: everyone had to queue,” Steffen remembers.
“It turned out to be André Bédat, the FIP president, who later had a medal named after him – and whom I certainly know very well today.”
From slides to PowerPoint
Fast forward 40 years. Steffen Bager once again finds himself at the Bella Center, where FIP has returned to Danish soil.
He is reminiscing about “the good old days” with his colleague Jesper Gulev Larsen.
Their first FIP Congress was a unique experience – and while much has changed since 1982, much remains the same.
“We used slide projectors for the presentations, but the atmosphere is the same as back then,” Steffen says.
The former Pharmadanmark president even dug into his archives to find old issues of Archiv for Pharmaci og Chemi – today called Farmaci and published by the Danish Association of Pharmacies.
In the November 1982 issue, he wrote a piece about his bus duty, and the congress was described in detail. One headline read ”FIP – FUP eller FAKTA?”, and the magazine was filled with black-and-white photos from the event in Copenhagen.
“FIP still has something special”
Steffen also found FIP merchandise from the 1982 congress – including genuine Tuborg beer coasters with the FIP logo. This year, the souvenir was a FIP fridge magnet.
“It’s fun to think back to when we first came here. We were just two young students getting a glimpse into the pharmaceutical world,” Steffen says with a smile.
“And if you had told our friends back then that Jesper and I would end up as presidents of the Danish Association of Pharmacies and Pharmadanmark, everyone would have laughed. That wasn’t exactly in the cards.”
“It’s a fantastic place to build international relationships. FIP still has something special.”
This year marks the 13th FIP Congress Steffen has attended. He enjoys reconnecting with colleagues from around the world and takes pride in seeing the many excellent Danish posters presented at the congress.
“I walk around absorbing impressions and talking to people. It’s a fantastic place to build international relations. FIP still has something special,” he concludes.