Embrace pharmacists’ roles in healthcare delivery — slow transformation of the pharmacy profession comes at a significant cost to health systems, warns an article published in The Lancet Regional Health — Europe today.

The article, co-written by officers at the WHO Regional Office for Europe and FIP, describes factors affecting the rate of progress and how good practices can be replicated and expanded. “One obstacle is lack of awareness among policymakers about the potential of pharmacists. That’s why articles such as this, helping to raise awareness, are an important part of FIP’s advocacy work. We are proud to have collaborated with WHO Europe on this piece,” said co-author and FIP President Paul Sinclair. Read the article here.

Later today (24 September), FIP and WHO Europe are holding a joint symposium in Copenhagen, Denmark, which will be attended by health ministers and policymakers, and ask what pharmacists can and should contribute to healthcare delivery and how do these roles dovetail into the multidisciplinary approach to health in hospital and community settings. Pharmacy colleagues are welcome to join this high-level meeting online. Details and free registration here.