The Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta, in collaboration with the Malta Pharmaceutical Students Association and the Malta Pharmaceutical Association, is this year celebrating World Pharmacists Day, with the support of Actavis.
World Pharmacists Day is co-ordinated by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the theme selected for this year is Pharmacists – simplifying your medicines use, no matter how complex.
In Malta, activities were organised during this week in various localities, including Birkirkara, Birgu, Sliema, Valletta and Zejtun. The aim was to reach out to the general public on the importance of pharmacists as accessible, trusted and valued healthcare professionals, who help in achieving better health outcomes, improving patient safety and overall quality of life.
Pharmacists are providing professional services in different sectors of pharmacy from the development and manufacture of medicines, to ensuring patient safety during distribution and use of medicines. By commemorating World Pharmacists Day, pharmacists are highlighting the focus of their activities for patients and consumers. An information leaflet, outlining the various roles of the pharmacist will be disseminated among the general public by pharmacy students.
Through this activity, pharmacy students, pharmacists and the Department of Pharmacy of the UoM, are reaching out to the public to emphasise the professional services of pharmacists in ensuring safe use of medicines. A self-administered questionnaire will also be distributed to obtain feedback from the public with regard to services which they wish pharmacists to provide. Having pharmacy students actively participating in this event is very encouraging since these future pharmacists are already being exposed to essential contact with patients and consumers.