Over the years, the scope of practice of pharmacists has expanded significantly in response to changing patient demographics and public health needs. This includes providing a range of services, from medicines use optimisation and the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases, to vaccination and antimicrobial stewardship. In a nutshell, community pharmacists have stepped up to emerging needs and proved themselves as essential primary healthcare providers.

In 1912, on 25 September, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) — the body representing pharmacy at a global level — was founded in the Netherlands. Since 2009, we have used this date to recognise and advocate for pharmacists and their representative organisations (including the IPU) around the world, and to raise awareness of the many contributions that our profession makes to patient care. In 2020, we expanded our activities to celebrate our profession to a full week: World Pharmacy Week (19 to 25 September).

A landmark policy event for European pharmacy

This year, our World Pharmacy Week activities include, for the first time, a collaboration with the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organisation to hold an event that puts a spotlight on how pharmacists contribute to better healthcare and more efficient and sustainable health systems. The event will take place at the United Nations City building in Copenhagen, Denmark, where WHO Europe has its headquarters.

This event will include the participation of the Minister of Health of Portugal (a pharmacist herself), and the Secretary of State for Health of the Spanish Government. The Danish Minister of Health has also been invited to participate, and the event will include the participation of high-ranking officers from WHO Europe and pharmacy leaders from across the WHO European region, as well as representatives from several ministries of health.

How to respond to the acute health workforce crisis?

This question is a top concern for WHO Europe and has been one of the leading reasons behind WHO’s collaboration in organising this event. In a briefing document sent to Member States and invitees, WHO Europe says; “the potential of a sizable category of healthcare professionals, pharmacists, remains largely untapped and this is despite the important, and in some areas critical, role community pharmacists played in bringing the COVID-19 crisis under control”.

Indeed, FIP and its member organisations, including the IPU, have long advocated to governments and international organisations such as the WHO, that health systems and healthcare delivery strategies need to consider and integrate pharmacies as a key partner and provider of care, thus reducing pressure on other healthcare professionals and offering choice, accessibility, convenience, quality and timely care to patients and communities.

‘Think Health, Think Pharmacy’

‘Think Health, Think Pharmacy’ is a new global campaign launched recently by FIP. It aims to raise awareness of pharmacies as places of primary health care provision, and to advocate for pharmacists as healthcare professionals, primarily in the minds of policymakers but also of several other target groups.

Despite recent and substantial advancements in pharmacy practice, too many people still perceive pharmacies as commercial enterprises rather than places of healthcare provision. This is an obstacle to pharmacists providing the services that they are trained to provide and that our health systems and communities desperately need.

Our pharmacy profession proved its ability and dedication to the health of their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and now is the time to make a bigger push for more professional recognition and the additional pharmacy services that go with that. This global campaign, led by FIP and powered by data and intelligence from the FIP Global Pharmaceutical Observatory, is a key strategy to advocate for our members and the wider profession around the world.

FIP’s ‘Think Health, Think Pharmacy’ will be a long-running campaign, sustained through regular releases of new campaign materials and other activities. More information and campaign assets are available on the campaign webpage (see fip.org/think-health-think-pharmacy). Universal recognition of the pharmacy profession’s unique place in primary healthcare would lead to enhanced patient care, improved access to health services, better collaboration with other health professions, reduced healthcare costs, professional growth, and new empowering legislation and policies.

We are convinced that it is through the pharmacy profession that much progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 — good health and well-being for all — will be made. We encourage colleagues around the world to join this important campaign and continue to support it over the coming months.

Figure 1: Factsheets published as part of the FIP ‘Think Health, Think Pharmacy’ campaig