World Pharmacists Day 2024: Pharmacists - Meeting Global Health Needs

The Heart of Global Health Systems: Pharmacists

Every September 25, pharmacists throughout the world commemorate World Pharmacists Day. This year's World Pharmacists Day celebration, with the theme "Pharmacists - Meeting Global Health Needs," will highlight the important role that pharmacists play in the local community.

It is a frequent misperception that a pharmacist who works in a pharmacy that is surrounded by various drugs and medications is solely responsible for dispensing these medications according to a physician's prescription. However, we often overlook that, in this more demanding era, a pharmacist's role encompasses more than just working behind the door of a clinic or hospital; rather, their scope of responsibilities has broadened. Pharmacists, together with other medical experts, provide a vital function and constitute the healthcare foundation, ensuring that patients and the general public have full access to good quality medications and other healthcare services.

During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals were at the forefront, playing a crucial role in mitigating the viral spread. Their involvement in vaccination campaigns and public health screenings significantly contributes to the prevention of this infectious disease. They are also responsible for ensuring that the COVID-19 vaccines are properly handled and kept before being delivered to the general population aside from the regular monitoring of the vaccine storage facility and ensuring that the manufacturer's instructions and protocols are followed. In addition to maintaining the optimal quality of the vaccine, this is also an essential exercise to avoid any physical damage to the stored vaccines. Apart from that, pharmacists are the key team who are in charge of record-keeping, documentation and updating of the vaccination supply chain.

 

Innovation, sustainability, and healthcare and medical access

With the availability of cutting-edge and rapidly growing technology, pharmacists can now guarantee that community health care is up to the global advancements. Telepharmacy, postal drug delivery services, and most recently, "drone" medication delivery are the initiatives and innovations that have been implemented. Pharmacists have also made significant contributions to green pharmacy practices by promoting the return of unused or expired medications to reduce medication waste. This program is to prevent drug abuse and misuse of medications as well as ensure drugs are properly disposed of to minimize environmental pollution, especially water treatment and supplies.

It is undoubtedly pharmacists have a long list of responsibilities and duties. Therefore, in conjunction with World Pharmacists Day 2024, we should collectively express our appreciation and utmost respect to all pharmacists around the globe. They fulfill the demands of global health by providing the best services, advocating and promoting health and disease-prevention programs as well as facilitating access to best pharmaceutical practices.

Thank you, pharmacist!

Dr. Haniza Hassan

Senior Lecturer

Department of Human Anatomy,

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date of Input: 25/09/2024 | Updated: 30/09/2024 | nadia_rahman