The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has announced that the theme for the 2013 World Pharmacists Day is ‘Pharmacists – simplifying your medicines use, no matter how complex’. This theme parallels the theme of the 73rd FIP World Congress: Towards a Future Vision for Complex Patients: Integrated Care in a Dynamic Continuum.
Change is sweeping pharmacy and healthcare on a global scale. A new era of healthcare development brings with it much hope. As more solutions become available to patients – whether they are medicines, therapies or services provided by healthcare providers – pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists can help with their ever more complex care.
The understanding and treatment of human diseases is complicated and challenging because patients themselves are complex. This complexity derives from many factors – including but not limited to those of biological, medical, behavioral and social natures. The more straightforward and simple a medication regimen is to follow, the more likely a patient will remain compliant and adherent to their therapy.
Pharmacists are in a prime position to help patients take their medications in a timely and appropriate manner to ensure that they receive the full benefit of therapy. Cancer or transplant patients, for instance, have time-sensitive medication regimens. A pharmacist can help prevent delays or non-adherence to their therapy that would otherwise significantly impact their treatment course and overall health.
As pharmacists, what are we doing to address and meet the needs of complex patients? Devising strategies to treat complex patients and tailoring pharmacy education to optimize patient care must be part of future initiatives in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences all across the globe. We implore all of you to share your thoughts, visions and solutions to simplifying medicines use for your patients, no matter how complex.
How and who defined World Pharmacists Day?
The World Pharmacists Day is set aside by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP, Founded in 1912, the International Pharmaceutical Federation is the global federation of national associations of three million pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists worldwide) to remind the society of the invaluable service performed by Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical scientists as integral part of the healthcare arena.
At the 2009 Council meeting a the FIP Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, the Turkish Pharmacists Association suggested to annually celebrate a World Pharmacists Day, to be organised on September 25 (the day that FIP was founded in 1912).
This proposal was unanimously accepted by the Council and since 2010, World Pharmacists Day has been coordinated by FIP and celebrated through the involvement of its Member Organisations, either with structured, widespread campaigns or small scale projects. Each year welcomes a new theme to developed to showcase the pharmacist in their positive affect on health.
Themes of World Pharmacists Day from starting
2010
“Safety first with medicines, ask your pharmacist.”
2011
“I am your most accessible healthcare provider
I am a driving force behind discovering new medicines
I am the key that unlocks all you need to know about your medicines
I am with you in sickness and in health.”
2012
“Pharmacists – your partners in using medicines responsibly.”
