17 October 2023

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) calls for all parties to the conflict in Israel and Gaza to adhere to obligations under international humanitarian law, namely that under the Geneva Conventions the ill-treatment and killing of civilians is prohibited and the sick and wounded must be cared for.

FIP condemns all acts of violence or war causing suffering. We call for immediate cessation of any acts that risks the lives of civilians or health workers. Access to health is a human right and any attack on health workers and the patients they serve is abhorrent and unacceptable.

We call for all parties to respect access to health care and ensure the safety of civilians and healthcare workers regardless of religion, political affiliation and ethnicity. Healthcare workers, including pharmacists, are delivering care in conflict areas, at great risks to their own safety. We call on all parties to respect the neutrality of health care workers, whose duty it is to protect lives. We appeal to all parties to the conflict to allow the provision of care and access to medicines without risk to healthcare providers.  

As healthcare professionals, pharmacists have an ethical duty and responsibility of providing aid to others in disaster situations. We remind all our members and others of our Statement of Policy on the role of the pharmacist in the management of disasters, be they natural or man-made, war, civil disorder or pandemics.