Health programmes that encourage patients to visit pharmacies as their first port of call for minor conditions have proven to reduce the burden on physicians and allow better use of available resources, FIP told the World Health Organization’s Executive Board at its 144^th session held in Geneva today. 

The many contributions that pharmacists make to primary health care, including through the supply of quality medicines, health promotion and disease prevention, disease screening, improving medicines adherence, administering medicines and vaccinations, and monitoring chronic conditions, were outlined by FIP in a statement during the board’s discussion of universal health coverage. In its statement, FIP also called for investment in the health workforce.

We are due to make two further statements to the board during this session, one on access to medicines and vaccines and the other on patient safety. Follow us on FIP social media for up to the minute news.

The full statements can be accessed below:

• Community health workers delivering primary health care opportunities and challenges (Agenda item 5.5)
• Medicines, vaccines and health products ― Access to medicines and vaccines (Agenda item 5.7)
• Global action on patient safety (Agenda item 6.6)