The World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
The 82nd World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, hosted by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 1 to 4 September 2024. This landmark event, themed "Innovating for the Future of Healthcare," brought together pharmacy professionals from around the globe to discuss advancements and challenges in the field.
Unity for Universal Health Coverage
During the opening ceremony, Dr Sandile Buthelezi, SA's Director General of Health, emphasised the crucial role of pharmacies in achieving universal health coverage. "Located in the heart of local communities, pharmacies are one of the most easily accessible healthcare providers," he said. Dr Buthelezi highlighted the World Health Organization's six pillars for an efficient health system, noting that pharmacists are the custodians of the second pillar — access to essential medicines — and play an integral role in the other pillars to ensure health system stability.
Advancement and Innovation in Pharmacy
FIP President Paul Sinclair called for greater progression and innovation within the pharmacy profession to tackle challenges such as inequitable healthcare access, medicines shortages, antimicrobial resistance, and substandard and falsified medicines. "Innovation is not just beneficial – it's essential," Sinclair stated. He cited pharmacy-based vaccination as an example of an innovative approach that has had a significant impact. Sinclair emphasised the application of three principles – integrity, performance, and passion – to facilitate the advancement of the profession. He introduced FIP's "Think Health, Think Pharmacy" campaign, aimed at promoting the professional identity of pharmacists and expanding pharmacy services for community benefit.
Congress Highlights
The congress featured various sessions and workshops, including the Basel Statement Workshop on supply chain excellence, educational sessions on pharmacovigilance and combating malaria, and poster sessions for research presentations. Social events like the Welcome Reception and the HPS Dinner provided networking opportunities for attendees. The FIP Congress 2024 in Cape Town was a significant event, fostering discussions on innovation and unity in pharmacy to improve global health outcomes.
