World Pharmacists Day : History and Significance

Pharmacist day is observed across the world on September 25. 

The day is to celebrate the services done by the pharmacist across the world. It also reminds us to pay tribute to all those pharmacists who are providing services with kindness and empathy especially at the time of the pandemic. Pharmacists give access to medicines, advise people on how to properly take them, etc.

Who is Pharmacist?

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who practice in pharmacy. They are involved in all aspects of medicine delivery to patients.

What does a Pharmacist do?

They will prepare and package medication that a doctor has prescribed and also sell medication over the counter. Pharmacists will explain what your medicine is for, how it works, what to expect when taking the medication and what to look out for. If you don’t understand any aspects of your health condition your pharmacist will be well placed to help you.

A pharmacist may be based within a hospital or healthcare facility or at a community pharmacy. They will have a degree in Pharmacy which provides them with an understanding of the biochemical mechanisms of drugs, drug uses, therapeutic roles, side effects, potential drug interactions, and monitoring parameters.

While providing medicines, pharmacist uses their knowledge and their unique expertise to ensure that people will get the best from their medicines.

Pharmacists say that when patients have higher trust in healthcare proessionals, they respond better to treatment and show more beneficial medical behaviour with fewer symptoms, leading to an overall better quality of life.

History :

World Pharmacist Day was created by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Council at the World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Istanbul, Turkey in 2009. 25 September is chosen as World Pharmacist Day because on this date FIP came into existence in 1912. The main aim of this day is to encourage the role and activities of the pharmacist in improving health a in every part of the world.

What is FIP?:

FIP is the International Pharmaceutical federation. It is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. It also has an official relationship with the World Health Organisation. 

Theme :

The theme of World Pharmacist Day 2021 is “Pharmacy: Always trusted for your health“. The theme focuses on that trust is essential to health care. As there is an important association between trust in healthcare professionals and health outcomes for patients. 

On World Pharmacist Day several activities are organised all over the world to highlight the importance of medical experts and to make people understand the crucial role that a pharmacist plays in the medical world.

Significance :

Pharmacy is the practice that links medicinal science with chemistry and as such plays a hugely important role in modern society. Pharmacists are tasked with the discovery, production, disposal, safe and effective use, and control of medications and drugs. Without pharmacists having an efficient knowledge of drugs, their side effects, mobility, and toxicity, the world would not have safe medicines and drugs to rely on.

World Pharmacists Day urges the global community to recognise the importance that pharmacists play in society and spread awareness with activities that promote and advocate their role in improving world health.