Artigenda
World Pharmacists Day
When: Annually, September 25.
World Pharmacists Day takes place annually on September 25 and is an initiative of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). The organisation was founded on this day in 1912.
History
FIP is not only known by its English-language name (International Pharmaceutical Federation). The French name is also used for this organisation, the Fédération Internationale Pharmaceutique.
This global organisation was founded in The Hague (the Netherlands) on September 25, 1912, representing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and educators in the pharmaceutical sector. In the first years after its foundation, its main aim was to promote pharmacy as a profession and an applied exact science. Here the emphasis was on knowledge sharing, regulatory information exchange and education. In addition, they were working on the basis for developing common standards. They wanted to improve the quality of medicines through international standards and methods for drug testing.
The first president of the FIP was Dutch professor Leopold of Italy (March 12, 1866 – May 2, 1952), attached to Leiden University. The first general secretary was also from the Netherlands and that was Jan Justus Hofman (June 11, 1866 – May 2, 1942. Hofman (also known as J.J. Hofman), was a Hague pharmacist. He would take over as president in 1930.
About World Pharmacists Day
World Pharmacists Day is there not only to commemorate the founding of the FIP in 1912. It also highlights the importance of the role of pharmacy in healthcare worldwide.
The role of the pharmacy in the healthcare chain, as is the case for pharmacy assistants, is sometimes underestimated. That’s why there’s the The Day of the Pharmacy Assistant in the Netherlands.
A pharmacy is only more than “just” the pharmacy assistants. Think of the pharmacists themselves or the administrative staff. Together, they are an essential link in our healthcare system. Something that deserves attention on a day like today. On the other hand, tomorrow is also a great time to pay attention to them!
