lets explore History of World Pharmacist Day since 2009
History of World Pharmacist Day dates back to the 2009 International Pharmaceutical Federation Congress in Istanbul, Turkey. During this congress, pharmacy leaders from around the world advocated for a designated day to honor pharmacists. The FIP Council officially endorsed September 25th as World Pharmacists Day, marking the beginning of a worldwide celebration of the pharmacy profession.
Since its inception, World Pharmacists Day has been celebrated annually on September 25th, focusing on different pharmacy-related themes each year. This celebration aims to increase awareness of the vital contributions pharmacists make to healthcare and address global health challenges.
Significance of World Pharmacists Day
World Pharmacists Day serves multiple important purposes:
- Acknowledging Healthcare Heroes: It honors pharmacists as essential healthcare providers who contribute significantly to public health and patient care.
- Raising Awareness: The day raises awareness about the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists, highlighting their impact on healthcare systems.
- Promoting Public Health: Activities organized on this day often focus on preventive healthcare measures, vaccination drives, and health screenings.
- Global Collaboration: It fosters collaboration among pharmacists worldwide, encouraging sharing of best practices and innovations in pharmacy.
- Advancing the Profession: The celebration promotes the advancement of the pharmacy profession through education and professional development.
- Educational Outreach: Events on this day often include educational initiatives aimed at both the public and healthcare professionals.
- Highlighting Themes: Each year, a specific theme is chosen to address current global health issues and spotlight the role of pharmacists.
- Inspiring Future Generations: The celebration inspires students and young professionals to pursue careers in pharmacy, emphasizing its importance in healthcare.
What is the International Pharmaceutical Federation?
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global authority on pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and pharmaceutical education. FIP represents a vast network of over four million professionals, including pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, and educators, through its collaboration with 152 national organizations and academic institutions.
The Impact of Pharmacists on Global Health
Pharmacists play a critical role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, which addresses both communicable and non-communicable diseases. They contribute significantly to the management of diseases like cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, cancer, mental health issues, and infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to global health, but pharmacists stepped up to meet these demands. FIP President Dominique Jordan emphasized the importance of rebuilding the pharmacy profession, advocating for the message of World Pharmacists Day 2023, which was “Empower pharmacies to do more.”
The Origins and Purpose of World Pharmacy Day
World Pharmacy Day was established during the 2009 FIP Council conference in Istanbul, with the primary aim of promoting the critical role pharmacists play in global health. Pharmacists are often regarded as unsung heroes who maximize the benefits of medications. Their expertise, knowledge, and experience ensure that patients receive proper access to medicines, guidance on their use, and overall improvement in well-being.
In summary, history of World Pharmacist Day reminds us about the contributions by the pharmacists worldwide and advocating for their continued involvement in promoting global health.
