The FIP Humanitarian programme highlights the support FIP can provide to support pharmacists and pharmacy teams in crises. Very often, pharmacists provide essential roles and services by supporting the distribution of medicines to patients and providing advice on stock management.
This programme will showcase the different humanitarian initiatives carried by pharmacists across the globe to demonstrate how adaptable the profession is depending on the crisis at hand and how colleagues can be more involved in supporting healthcare delivery in disaster and emergency settings, also highlighting the interprofessional collaboration among healthcare professionals in humanitarian arenas.
At FIP, we wish to support the profession in countries during a crisis and create awareness of pharmacists’ roles in disasters and emergencies, using their communities as support frameworks to ensure the profession’s preparedness. The Military and Emergency Pharmacists Section (MEPs) has been working in managing emergencies for years. Nevertheless, as we see the impact of crises in increasingly fragile environments, it is paramount that pharmacists continue the work post-emergency and provide sustained humanitarian support, which can be achieved in many ways. Examples for all to see and select from will be compiled. In addition to showcasing examples of crisis management and humanitarian support, FIP will maintain a list of available resources and content.
The humanitarian programme is mainly linked to the FIP Development Goal 18 – Access to medicines, devices and services as one important aspect of disaster and emergency situations is the continuation of treatment and access to safe and effective medicines. Other related goals include FIP Development Goal 10 – Equity and equality, FIP Development Goal 15 – People centred care and FIP DEvelopment Goal 20 – Digital health.
“Let us stand shoulder to shoulder and support each other around the world,” is the message from a group of humanitarian pharmacists gathered by FIP. FIP is proud to have supported a number of colleagues to continue to provide pharmaceutical care in a number of places affected by disasters this year. However, during our work, we have identified gaps, such as the lack of specific training for pharmacists and awareness on how they can be more engaged, and FIP will be working to address these as part of its commitment.