World Pharmacists Day

News - 25 September 2024

World Pharmacists Day is observed on the 25th September each year to recognise pharmacists for the role they play in improving global health. The day encourages activities that promote and advocate for the role of pharmacists in improving health in every corner of the world.

In 2024, the theme is: “Pharmacists: Meeting global health needs”.

Pharmacists serve as integral members of healthcare systems, playing a vital role in meeting health needs. First and foremost, they ensure access to essential medicines and their optimal use, but they also use their expertise to contribute significantly to patient care and public health.

In many places, pharmacists are the first point of contact for health advice and primary health care, especially in resource-limited settings. They help prevent diseases (e.g, through administering vaccinations); they conduct health screening, educate patients and help to improve health literacy; support public health campaigns, participate in research and development of new medicines, lead in pharmacovigilance and make sure that antibiotics are used only when needed; they are implementing greener ways of working and addressing the impact of climate change on health; and they advocate for policy changes that promote better health outcomes. And, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists are at the forefront of addressing global health crises.

In many and diverse ways, every day the pharmacy profession meets health needs. The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Pharmacists Day campaign is a chance to celebrate and make known its contributions to better health worldwide. It is also an opportunity to highlight the further potential in improving global health.

How Pharmacists can help you

Advice from a pharmacist. Pharmacists can offer advice on a range of illnesses, medications, side effects and answer any questions you may have.
Treatment from a pharmacist. Pharmacists can suggest treatments that do not need a prescription for a range of conditions. With most pharmacies also offer prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment. This is called Pharmacy First.
Help with new medicines. When you start a new medicine for a long-term condition you can have up to 3 appointments with a pharmacist to help you use the medicine safely, answer any questions you may have and make sure the medicine is right for you.
Get the contraceptive pill or access emergency contraception Some pharmacies offer the contraceptive pill for free without a prescription. If you are aged 18 years or older, you can also buy the progesterone-only pill from most pharmacies. Some pharmacies offer the emergency contraceptive pill for free. If you’re aged 16 or over, you can also buy it from most pharmacies.
Get a free blood pressure check Some pharmacies offer a free blood pressure check. An important service as high blood pressure usually has no symptoms and is very dangerous to health.
More services Many pharmacies offer a range of further services such as vaccinations. cholesterol testing and substance misuse services.