The Insight Corner Hub: World Pharmacists Day 2023: Celebrating the Role of Pharmacy in Strengthening Health Systems

Every year, on September 25th, the world celebrates World Pharmacists Day, a day dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the contributions of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists to the global health sector. The theme for World Pharmacists Day 2023 is "Pharmacy strengthening health systems", which highlights the vital role that pharmacy plays in enhancing the quality, efficiency, and resilience of health systems around the world.

Pharmacists are the experts on medicines and their use. They are responsible for ensuring the safe, effective, and rational use of medicines for patients and populations. They collaborate with other health professionals to provide optimal patient care and improve health outcomes. They also contribute to public health initiatives, such as health promotion, disease prevention, screening, vaccination, and antimicrobial stewardship.

Pharmacists have a key role in strengthening health systems, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. The pandemic has exposed the fragility and gaps of many health systems, as well as the need for urgent action to address them. Pharmacists have been at the forefront of responding to the pandemic, by ensuring the availability and accessibility of essential medicines and medical supplies, providing COVID-19 testing and vaccination services, offering medication therapy management and counseling, and supporting inpatient care and treatment.

According to the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the global body representing pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, pharmacists have provided over 350 million clinical interventions in the form of COVID-19 testing, vaccination, treatment, and inpatient care in the USA alone during the pandemic¹. The FIP also reports that pharmacists have been involved in developing COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, conducting clinical trials, and conducting research on the impact of COVID-19 on medicines use and health systems².

The FIP has been advocating for the recognition and empowerment of pharmacists as an integral part of health systems. The FIP has developed a set of FIP Development Goals, which aim to transform pharmacy practice, science, education, and workforce to meet the current and future needs of health systems and society². The FIP also supports national pharmacy organizations with global policy statements and calls on governments to increase funding for health and improve environments for health professionals².

The FIP's message for World Pharmacists Day 2023 is clear: Let pharmacies do more. By allowing pharmacists to practice at their full scope of competence and expertise, health systems can benefit from improved access to health services, reduced healthcare costs, enhanced patient safety, and better health outcomes. The FIP invites everyone to join the World Pharmacists Day campaign and celebrate the achievements of pharmacists in supporting health systems and society.

World Pharmacists Day 2023 is an opportunity to raise awareness of the role of pharmacy in strengthening health systems and to express gratitude to pharmacists for their dedication, knowledge, and commitment. Together, we can ensure that pharmacists continue to play a central role in advancing global health and making the world a healthier place for all.

References

(1) World Pharmacist Day 2023: Date, History, Significance, And Theme. https://www.onlymyhealth.com/world-pharmacist-day-date-history-significance-and-theme-1695627354.

(2) World Pharmacist Day 2023: Date, Theme, History And Significance. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/world-pharmacist-day-2023-date-theme-and-significance-4421076.

(3) World Pharmacist Day 2023 Promotes The Role Of Pharmacy In Strengthening The Health System. https://www.ndtv.com/health/world-pharmacist-day-2023-promotes-the-role-of-pharmacy-in-strengthening-the-health-system-4421009.

(4) World Pharmacists Day - FIP - International Pharmaceutical Federation. https://www.fip.org/world-pharmacists-day.

(5) World Pharmacist Day 2023 Promotes The Role Of Pharmacy In Strengthening The Health System. https://www.ndtv.com/health/world-pharmacist-day-2023-promotes-the-role-of-pharmacy-in-strengthening-the-health-system-4421009.

(6) Plenary session – It’s World Pharmacists Day 2023 — Pharmacists .... https://brisbane2023.fip.org/programme-session/plenary-session-its-world-pharmacists-day-2023-pharmacists-strengthening-health-systems-plmo-01/.

(7) WORLD PHARMACISTS DAY - September 25, 2023 - National Today. https://nationaltoday.com/world-pharmacists-day/.

(8) World Pharmacists Day 2023, Date, Theme, History - BankersAdda. https://www.bankersadda.com/world-pharmacists-day-2023/.

(9) Pharmacy: Strengthening Health Systems - Celebrating World Pharmacist's .... https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/health/pharmacy-strengthening-health-systems-celebrating-world-pharmacists-day-2023.html.

(10) World Pharmacists Day – Strengthening health systems in South Africa. https://www.ofm.co.za/article/health/328260/world-pharmacists-day-strengthening-health-systems-in-south-africa.