FIP launches Global Situation Report on Pharmacy 2025
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) recently launched its Global Situation Report on Pharmacy 2025 (GSRP) during the opening ceremony of the 83rd FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Copenhagen, Denmark. This publication offers a comprehensive and current intelligence base to inform investment, advocacy, and policy context to strengthen pharmacy health systems.
Drawing on global data, FIP data gathering, contributions from FIP member organisations, and real-world case studies from across the six World Health Organisation (WHO) regions, the report serves as a strategic blueprint, outlining clear priorities and actions to advance pharmacy practice, education, science, and workforce development in alignment with the WHO Global Workforce Strategy 2030.
The report supports the United Nations sustainable development goals, particularly those related to health, equality, and sustainability, and is driven by the FIP global development goals. Furthermore, the report supports the organisation’s broader strategic plan for 2025-2030 and the WHO-FIP Collaboration Workplan (2024-2025).
The report has been produced by the FIP Global Pharmaceutical Observatory (FIP GPO) ? FIP’s central platform for data gathering and pharmaceutical intelligence. The GPO works for members to enable collation, analysis, and sharing of robust global data across pharmacy and pharmaceutical education, workforce, science, and practice services. Aligned with global health priorities, this report presents insights on:
- Workforce capacity and distribution;
- Pharmacy education and specialisation pathways;
- Evolving scope of pharmacy services;
- Digital health transformation and innovation;
- Migration, equity, and professional resilience.
Prof Ian Bates, Director of the FIP Global Pharmaceutical Observatory, said: “This report is more than a routine publication — it’s an accessible global intelligence platform for actioning. The GSRP provides a source of insight and direction needed to help decision-makers invest in pharmacy as a powerful driver of stronger, more resilient health systems.”
Policy statement released for responsible use of artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to reshape the future of pharmacy, but only if it is integrated responsibly and ethically, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) recently said in a new statement of policy.
Mr Lars-Åke Söderlund, FIP Vice President, chair of the FIP Technology Advisory Group and co-chair of the policy committee, said: “AI is already transforming how pharmacists work, from automating routine tasks to supporting more advanced clinical decision-making and even accelerating drug discovery.
“This statement sets out a vision for harnessing the benefits of AI while ensuring that the human judgment, professional autonomy, and trusted relationships that define pharmacy are not compromised.”
The statement highlights how AI technologies (ie, machine learning, generative AI, robotics, and predictive analytics) can boost efficiency, improve medication safety, and personalise care. From identifying patients at high risk of non-adherence to providing real- time decision support and optimising chronic disease management, AI can help pharmacists make better-informed decisions that benefit patients and health systems alike.
However, FIP stresses that implementing AI must be governed by robust regulation and clear ethical frameworks. The policy calls for strong safeguards to protect patient privacy and data security, address bias, and ensure transparency so that AI tools complement — rather than replace — pharmacists’ expertise.
The statement also underscores the importance of collaboration and education. To make the best use of AI, pharmacists must have the skills and confidence to work with new technologies. This includes embedding AI literacy, data science, and digital health competencies into pharmacy education and continuing professional development.
Dr Whitley Yi, co-chair of the policy committee, said: “Pharmacists must remain accountable for patient care and safety. We must be involved in the design, implementation, and oversight of AI tools to ensure they are relevant, reliable, and truly serve patients’ best interests.”
FIP’s recommendations set out clear actions for governments, regulators, technology developers, educators, and pharmacy organisations to ensure AI adoption is transparent, equitable, and sustainable. The Federation also commits to providing leadership and guidance on professional and ethical questions around AI, supporting member organisations with resources and training, and advocating for pharmacists’ vital role in an AI-enabled health system.
FIP calls for greater recognition of pharmacists’ role in supporting self-care
Pharmacists are a trusted gateway to self-care and play an essential role in empowering people to manage their own health more effectively, according to a new Statement of Policy recently published by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).
Updating FIP’s 2017 policy on self-care, the statement calls on governments, healthcare systems, and pharmacy organisations to recognise, support, and invest in the unique position pharmacists hold in helping individuals take charge of their health.
Mr Luís Lourenço, FIP professional secretary and chair of the policy committee, said: “Self-care is the foundation of healthier lives and societies, but people need support to do it well. Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals worldwide — trusted, knowledgeable and part of their communities.
“This policy reinforces pharmacists’ responsibility to inform, guide, and support individuals in caring for themselves safely and effectively.”
The statement highlights how self- care, when properly supported, can help prevent illness, manage long- term conditions, reduce unnecessary doctor visits and hospital admissions, and lower overall healthcare costs. Pharmacists’ unique accessibility and health expertise bridge the gap between public health initiatives and the personal choices people make every day.
From providing advice on over-the- counter medicines, screening, and point-of-care testing, to supporting healthy habits, vaccination, and health literacy, pharmacists help individuals make informed decisions and build confidence in managing their wellbeing — especially in rural or underserved areas where they may be the only accessible healthcare professional.
Recognising this value, FIP’s updated policy includes clear recommendations for governments, insurers, pharmacy organisations, and educators to strengthen pharmacist- led self-care services. These include fair remuneration, investment in community pharmacies, access to reliable health information, and support for pharmacists to expand their roles in prevention, education, and public health promotion. The statement also outlines how pharmacy organisations and academic institutions should promote evidence-based practice, data collection, and training.
“Pharmacists empower people to look after their health, but they can’t do it alone. Governments, insurers, and the pharmaceutical industry must work together to ensure equitable access to self-care support and safe products — and that pharmacists are fully integrated into health systems to deliver these services,” Mr Lourenço added.
Through this statement, FIP commits to advocating globally for pharmacists’ essential role in self-care, providing leadership and guidance to its member organisations, and working with other healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry to promote responsible, effective self-care practices.
New policy statement calls for stronger recognition of pharmacists’ role in global fight against chronic diseases
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain the world’s leading cause of preventable death, yet pharmacists are still under-utilised in tackling this global crisis, according to a new statement of policy released recently by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).
Reaffirming commitments made under the Astana Declaration and the FIP Practice Transformation Programme on NCDs, this updated policy reflects the latest evidence on the global impact of chronic diseases and highlights the vital role pharmacists play in prevention, early detection, treatment optimisation, and ongoing care.
Mr Daragh Connolly, chair, Board of Pharmaceutical Practice, and co-chair of the policy committee, said: “We face an unprecedented challenge from conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory illness, and mental health disorders, many of which can be prevented or better managed with the right interventions.
“Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals worldwide, but their contribution remains undervalued in many health systems. This statement is a renewed call for action to change that.”
The statement outlines how pharmacists support patients at every stage, leading risk-factor screening, providing lifestyle counselling, managing complex medicines regimens, and co- ordinating care as part of interprofessional teams. In many communities, especially underserved areas, pharmacists are often the first and sometimes only point of care for people living with chronic conditions.
It also highlights the need to tackle social and economic inequalities that contribute to the global NCD burden and calls for better use of digital tools and data-sharing to strengthen prevention, monitoring, and treatment.
FIP’s updated recommendations urge governments and policy-makers to fully integrate pharmacists into national NCD strategies, expand their scope of practice, ensure fair remuneration for pharmacist-provided services, and invest in workforce development to meet rising healthcare demands.
Ms Ema Paulino, co-chair of the policy committee, said: “FIP has developed practical resources and training to equip pharmacists in managing these conditions, but we need supportive policies and funding to ensure these services reach those who need them most.”
The statement also calls on pharmacy organisations, educators, and the pharmaceutical industry to align efforts by developing practice guidelines, promoting evidence-based interventions, and fostering research to demonstrate the value of pharmacist-led care.
Through this policy, FIP and its member organisations reaffirm their commitment to the WHO Global Action Plan on NCDs and universal health coverage, working together to reduce the global burden of chronic diseases, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen sustainable health systems.
Now is the time for pharmacists to embrace new opportunities — FIP President
When opening the 83rd FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Copenhagen recently, International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) President Mr Paul Sinclair, AM, said: “The global pharmacy field is rapidly evolving with technology, changing healthcare, and growing recognition of pharmacists’ key role in patient-centred universal health coverage.”
Reflecting on progress, he added: “The past year, like the one before, was packed with activities, initiatives, deliverables, and connections with all of you. Something I value tremendously. I am proud to stand in front of you, confident in the work that FIP has delivered, adding value to healthcare transformation, and advocating for pharmacists and pharmacies globally.
“Similarly to the congress theme using ‘Performance, Collaboration, and Health Transformation’ to guide the future, I want to use the same three elements to share more information on FIP’s activities, successes, and alignment with global health priorities over the past year,” Mr Sinclair said.
Mr Sinclair highlighted achievements since September 2024, including publications, toolkits, reports, and handbooks — 10 of which were translated — alongside digital events, CPD bites, podcasts, and infographics. He noted that 14 new professional development programmes earned the FIP Seal this year and that FIP was present at more than 65 global events.
Mr Sinclair called for strong advocacy efforts, saying: “Last May, FIP launched the global ‘Think Health, Think Pharmacy’ campaign to highlight pharmacies as an underused resource in primary care. Our shared message is clear: We want everyone — and policymakers — to include pharmacy when thinking about health and universal coverage.”
He also urged pharmacists to embrace change: “The global pharmacy field is rapidly evolving with technology, changing healthcare, and growing recognition of pharmacists’ key role in patient-centred universal health coverage… Now is the time for pharmacists to embrace these opportunities. Our new strategic plan calls for bold action to harness pharmacists’ diverse skills and redefine the profession for a bright future.”
People-centred pharmaceutical care ‘must be the standard for pharmacists’
Pharmacists must place people at the centre of their practice to optimise medication use and improve health outcomes, according to a new statement of policy released by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). This updated statement replaces FIP’s original 1998 statement on pharmaceutical care and reflects the evolving role of pharmacy professionals as accessible, frontline healthcare providers.
The policy statement defines people- centred pharmaceutical care as a focused, outcome-oriented practice that requires pharmacists to work closely with patients and other health professionals to promote health, prevent disease, and ensure the rational use of medicines. Building on decades of progress in clinical pharmacy and patient care processes, the statement emphasises the pharmacist’s role across the entire medication use process — including prescribing (where permitted), dispensing, administering, and monitoring.
Mr Sherif Guorgui, president, FIP Community Pharmacy Section and co-chair of the policy committee, said: “Pharmacists today have an increasingly complex and vital role in primary care. In many jurisdictions, pharmacists are on the frontline managing chronic diseases, assessing and prescribing for minor ailments, administering vaccinations, conducting point-of-care testing, and using evolving digital tools to enhance patient care. These expanded scopes and enhanced services have proven to improve health outcomes and expand the capacity of healthcare systems.”
Establishing trusted relationships with patients built on empathy and mutual decision-making, maintaining accurate patient records, and developing individualised pharmacotherapy plans that balance safety, effectiveness, and cost are among the key requirements outlined for delivering people-centred pharmaceutical care. It also calls for robust systems to protect patient data and ensure privacy in line with national regulations.
The statement recognises interprofessional collaboration as essential to delivering high-quality, people-centred care. Pharmacists play an essential role in multidisciplinary teams, where collaboration with other health professionals helps ensure safer, more co-ordinated, and effective care. Through structured shared-care protocols and collaborative practice agreements, pharmacists can contribute to optimising medication management, preventing medication errors, and improving continuity of care.
The updated statement includes recommendations for governments, policy-makers, pharmacy organisations, educators, and pharmacists themselves. FIP has also set out its own commitments, including promoting relevant research and education, and providing guidance and resources to support the global implementation of people-centred pharmaceutical care.
Mr Robert Moss, FIP Vice President and co-chair of the policy committee, said: “FIP urges governments, healthcare partners, and our global pharmacy community to adopt and implement this approach, enabling pharmacists in all settings to better serve their communities and enhance health outcomes for all.”
Also, at the opening ceremony of the 83rd World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association (KNMP, The Netherlands) was announced by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) as the recipient of the Health Promotion Campaign Award with its project ‘Running Out is Not an Option’.
Through this campaign, the KNMP aimed to highlight the pharmacist’s vital role in managing medicine shortages. When a medicine is temporarily unavailable, pharmacists explore all possible avenues to ensure patients receive their treatment, from consulting with fellow pharmacists and doctors, to importing or compounding medicines.
The goal was to make it clear that pharmacists are not part of the problem but are working to find the best possible solution for patients to continue their treatment safely. Since its launch in January 2025, the campaign has reached more than half of the Dutch population aged 25 years or older via radio, online channels, and streaming services.
Dr Aris Prins, KNMP chair, said: “Winning this award underscores our ambition to strengthen the position of pharmacists as medication specialists in the Netherlands. It is an honour to see that our campaign ‘Running Out is Not an Option’ is also being recognised internationally.”
