“The best and most efficient pharmacy is within your own system,” Robert C. Peale said. Every year, 25th of September, the world celebrates WORLD PHARMACISTS’ DAY. It is a great opportunity to praise the role pharmacists play in healthcare delivery all over the world, and also recall pharmacy profession awareness. It is also a time to appraise the pharmacists on their daily activities in the community as well as remind them of their role in professional development.
Pharmacists have been playing a big role in the management of different diseases as well as ensuring a healthier community around them by preparing, dispensing, and providing information about medicines to patients. This brought to this year’s theme “Pharmacy united in action for a healthier world.”
History of PharmacyThe term ‘‘pharmacy’’ is defined as ‘‘the art and science of preparing and dispensing drugs and medicines.’’ The word ‘‘pharmacy’’ was coined from the Greek word ‘‘pharmakon’’ meaning ‘‘medicine or drug’’. Hence, a pharmacist is a ‘‘medicine or drug man.’’
[1] In the law establishing Rwanda NPC, A pharmacist is defined as any person authorized to make or dispense a medicine by virtue of his/her academic qualification. [2]
The historical artwork of pharmacy probably started whilst a person someplace first thought of the concept of applying the juice from leaves to heal a wound. There have also been Greek legends written centuries ago that pointed out gods being apothecaries or pharmacists. The Greek god of healing, Asclepius, delegated the compounding of his treatments to Hygieia, his apothecary or pharmacist. [3]
For the longest time, healing and pharmacy went hand-in-hand and have been often thought of as a similar practices. The relationship between pharmacy and medicine began to be defined by the 08th century and was firmly mounted by the time the 17th century rolled along. Now, physicians could no longer prepare medications for their patients themselves. The field transformed yet again with the destructive attack of World War II. New drugs have been constantly introduced into the market, and the role of the pharmacist became more defined than ever. [3]
The ‘‘Father of Pharmacy’’ is thought to be William Procter Jr. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1837. He is known for his role in establishing the American Association of pharmacists and his work on the US Pharmacopeia. He was the author/editor of the first pharmacy textbook published in America. [4]
Why the World Pharmacists’ Day celebrated on 25th September?In 2009, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) officially designated the 25th of September of each year as World Pharmacists Day. This day was adopted to raise awareness of the role of the pharmacist in healthcare and to further this exact role through increased community involvement of pharmacists on national and local levels. This decision comes after a Turkish member of FIP suggested the date of 25th September because it was the date FIP was established in 1912. [5] This year’s theme is “Pharmacy united in action for a healthier world”.
Why this theme in celebration of World pharmacists’ day 2022?This theme aims to showcase pharmacy’s positive impact on health around the world and to further strengthen solidarity among the profession.In 2015, 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) were adopted by the United Nations as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that, by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Goal 3 is good health and well-being for all and has 13 targets.“The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 3 sets out a number of health targets, including for non-communicable diseases (such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and mental health) and communicable diseases (for example, HIV, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases),’’ Mr. Dominique Jordan, FIP President said. “We have seen improvements in many of these areas and our profession (pharmacy) should be proud of and make known its contributions. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered progress and it is imperative that we rally to build back better,” He added. [6]
Examples of pharmacy actionsIn Rwanda, pharmacists have contributed a big role in achieving those SDGs under goal three where they provide access to medicine that includes vaccines; nutritional supplements; medicines for diabetes, CVDs, chronic respiratory diseases; sexual-related reproductive products and so many more to the community. In addition to that, they played a role in combating COVID-19 where they provided access to products used in its management including face masks, hand sanitizers, and medicines used in stabilizing COVID-19 patients.
Severe anemia during or post-pregnancy doubles the risk of maternal death. In Tanzania, pharmacies help reduce risk by providing iron supplements. These can sometimes be cheaper than free supplements from government clinics when costs of transport and time spent at a clinic are considered. [7]
Why we must stay united in action?There are many improvements to health and wellbeing of which the pharmacy profession can be proud. Nevertheless, we all now face the task of restoring essential health services that have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic when more people have been unable to get health checkups, vaccinations, and even urgent care. Decades of improvements in health outcomes are under threat of reversal. If universal health coverage is to become a reality by 2030, growth in the provision and use of essential health services must be greatly accelerated. Pharmacy through its many sectors and areas of expertise is vital to this vision! [6]
The purpose of World Pharmacists Day, which was brought to life at the FIP Council 2009 in Istanbul, is to encourage activities that promote and advocate for the role of the pharmacist in improving health in every corner of the world. Pharmacists are the reason why people get the best from their medicines, they are using their experience, knowledge, and expertise to make the (medical) world a better place for everybody. Moreover, they give access to medicines, advise people on how to properly take them and so much more. [5]
As a proud and active FIP Member, Rwanda Pharmaceutical Students’ Association is pleased to participate in World Pharmacists Day and further the shared goal of increasing pharmacists’ involvement in the betterment of the community’s health and their recognition for such services.
How far is the pharmacy profession in Rwanda?In Rwanda, there are 1141 registered pharmacists and 12 pharmacy technicians in the current total estimated population of 13 million population marking a 1/11,950 pharmacist to population ratio. There is still a need for human resources in the pharmaceutical sector but progress is being made compared to the 1/30,565 pharmacist to population ratio in 2016 [8]. There are many are of practices for pharmacists in Rwanda including Regulatory institutions; like RSB, Rwanda FDA, and much more; community pharmacies (retail pharmacies); wholesale pharmacies; academia; hospital pharmacies, administration, research, consultancy & advisory as well as pharmaceutical chemistry. Rwanda is doing everything needed to achieve Rwanda Vision 2050 of becoming the African hub of pharmaceutical industries where there are incoming industries being built in Rwanda like Pfizer industries that will be dealing with vaccine manufacture. Rwanda has been also chosen to host the headquarter of the Africa Medical Agency (AMA). All of these are being achieved because of Rwanda's effective governance under the leadership of HE Paul Kagame, who is the cornerstone of the pharmacy profession's success.HAPPY WORLD PHARMACISTS DAY!