‘Pharmacists key to meeting global health needs’

Islamabad:World Pharmacists Day 2024 was marked with a vibrant forum at Rawal General and Dental Hospital Islamabad, under the theme ‘Pharmacists: Meeting Global Health Needs’. The event highlighted the crucial role pharmacists play in ensuring global access to healthcare and medicines, says a press release.

Addressing the audience, Chairman of Rawal General and Dental Hospital, Khaqan Waheed Khawaja, lauded pharmacists for their tireless efforts in providing safe, effective, and affordable medications to populations worldwide. “Pharmacists are essential to addressing the world’s healthcare challenges,” Khawaja stated in his keynote speech. “From ensuring medication safety to driving patient-centred care, they are on the frontlines of public health, contributing not just to individual patient well-being but also to the overall resilience of healthcare systems.”

Khawaja emphasised the critical role pharmacists play in underserved areas. “In many parts of the world, pharmacists are the only available healthcare professionals. Their knowledge is key to combating diseases and ensuring sustainable access to life-saving treatments.”

He also spoke about the need for further integration of pharmacists into healthcare teams. “Pharmacists need to be empowered as primary healthcare providers, capable of delivering services like vaccinations, chronic disease management, and health education, especially in rural and remote areas.”

The forum brought together healthcare professionals, students, and the public to discuss the expanding role of pharmacists in the global health landscape. Participants emphasised innovation in pharmacy practice and the growing need for pharmacists to adapt to emerging healthcare challenges. World Pharmacists Day 2024 reinforces the pivotal role of pharmacists in meeting the health needs of people across the globe, and their contribution to achieving universal health coverage.