“Think Health, Think Pharmacist”

FIP, the global leader in advancing pharmacy, has been championing the pharmacy profession for over a century. As the world continues to face complex, interconnected health challenges—ranging from access to care and antimicrobial resistance to climate change and financial instability—ensuring strong, sustainable health systems is more vital than ever.

A key concern now confronting countries across all regions is how to maintain a well-equipped, qualified health workforce amid growing financial constraints from economic slowdowns, shrinking budgets, and rising healthcare demands.

In some places, budget pressures have led to the hiring of non-professional health workers to perform roles that require the expertise of trained pharmacists. This short-term approach, driven by immediate cost-saving goals, can have far-reaching, detrimental consequences.

In truth, pharmacy without the pharmacist is a risk to health. It undermines the quality and safety of care, threatens medicine optimisation, and jeopardises public trust in health systems. We are addressing what might be one of the most critical issues of our time: safeguarding health by investing in qualified pharmacists, even in times of financial turbulence.

Pharmacists are the most accessible members of healthcare systems. They ensure the availability and appropriate use of medicines, deliver vaccinations and preventive care, support public health campaigns, promote rational antibiotic use, improve health literacy, and serve as a trusted point of contact for millions—especially in underserved areas. In short, pharmacists deliver safe, cost-effective care that strengthens health systems and contributes to universal health coverage.

When policymakers invest in pharmacists, they are choosing a path of sustainability, safety, and smart spending. When pharmacists are underutilised or replaced by underqualified personnel, the cost is not just financial, but human.

Every day, pharmacists across the globe help meet critical health needs. World Pharmacists Day is our opportunity to celebrate and make visible the profession’s contributions to better health outcomes. It is also a time to advocate for the full integration of pharmacists into health strategies and to remind governments, institutions, and stakeholders that investing in pharmacists is investing in a healthier future for all.

Source: FIP