Tribune News Network
Doha
The executive office of Corporate Pharmacy at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) organised World Pharmacists Day under the theme ‘Pharmacists Strengthening Health Systems’ to promote and celebrate the role of pharmacists in healthcare systems worldwide and to also highlight the important contributions that pharmacists make to the health and well-being of people in their communities.
World Pharmacists Day is an annual event that is celebrated on September 25 each year. It was established by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) to acknowledge and celebrate the important contributions of pharmacists to healthcare systems and to promote their role in improving patient outcomes and public health. It provides an opportunity for pharmacists to engage with the public and their peers and to continue advocating for the profession’s growth and development.
Activities highlighting the day at HMC featured educational campaigns, continuous professional development programmes, social media campaigns as well as networking and collaboration. World Pharmacists Day aims to reach a diverse audience, including pharmacists, pharmacy students and trainees, patients, the public, healthcare professionals, policy makers, pharmacy organisations and the global community.
“Pharmacists have long been esteemed as integral pillars of the healthcare system. They are medication experts, patient advocates, trusted advisors and the first point of contact for many individuals seeking health care. Beyond dispensing medications, educating patients about prescriptions and ensuring medication adherence, pharmacists collaborate with other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based patient care,” said Dr Moza Al Hail, executive director of Pharmacy.
Dr Hail added that pharmacists play an integral role in HMC as they fulfil a wide range of roles and responsibilities from dispensary, medication preparation to comprehensive medication management.
She expressed her appreciation to all corporate pharmacy staff saying, “I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to our dedicated pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and all pharmacy staff for their unwavering contributions and commitment to patient care, medication safety and healthcare innovation. The recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted pharmacists’ critical role in the battle against pandemics. As frontline workers, pharmacists made sacrifices, adapted swiftly and demonstrated remarkable resilience in confronting this public health crisis.”
Expressing support for the World Pharmacists Day, Mariam Nooh Al Mutawa, acting chief nursing officer – HMC, said: “As a nurse, I want to take this opportunity to recognise and appreciate the invaluable role that pharmacists play in health care. Pharmacists are our partners in patient care, ensuring that medications are safe, effective and properly administered. Their expertise in drug interactions, dosages and patient counselling is crucial in improving patient outcomes.
“On this World Pharmacy Day, let us express our gratitude to pharmacists worldwide for their dedication to our shared goal of providing the best possible care to our patients. Together, nurses, doctor, AHP and pharmacists make a powerful team in delivering quality healthcare.”
She added that the collaboration between nurses and pharmacists represents a dynamic partnership that contributed to greater patient safety and more optimal healthcare outcomes through the seamless integration of medication management and safety practices into patient care. “Together, we provide a holistic approach that combines clinical expertise and medication knowledge, delivering comprehensive and patient-centred healthcare,” Mutawa added.
“As the Chief Medical Officer at HMC, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the pharmacy team and their leadership, whose vision and dedication have been instrumental in fostering a culture of excellence. Pharmacists are an integral part of our medical team, working hand in hand to ensure the best possible patient care. Their expertise, tireless efforts and commitment to patient safety and well-being are the cornerstone of our healthcare delivery, and we are deeply thankful for your invaluable contributions,” said Dr Abdulla Al Ansari HMC chief medical officer.
Throughout the World Pharmacists Day activity week, pharmacy departments across various facilities hosted engaging events and activities. These included educational campaigns, continuous professional development programs, social media initiatives, networking opportunities and collaborations.
