FIP: ‘Embrace new opportunities’

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Congress opened overnight in Copenhagen by honouring some of the world’s leading pharmacists and challenging the profession to embrace new opportunities.

‘Embrace new opportunities’

The theme of the FIP Congress this year is ‘Pharmacy Forward: Performance, Collaboration, and Health Transformation’ – aiming to explore the evolving role of pharmacists in the context of modern healthcare challenges.  

Reflecting on this theme in his opening address, Paul Sinclair MPS – Australia’s first FIP President – called on pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and educators to be strong advocates for new opportunities. 

‘Last May, FIP launched the global “Think Health, Think Pharmacy” campaign to highlight pharmacies as an underused resource in primary care. Our shared message is clear: we want everyone – and policymakers – to include pharmacy when thinking about health and universal coverage,’ he said.

‘The global pharmacy field is rapidly evolving with technology, changing healthcare, and growing recognition of pharmacists’ key role in patient-centred universal health coverage … Now is the time for pharmacists to embrace these opportunities. Our new strategic plan calls for bold action to harness pharmacists’ diverse skills and redefine the profession for a bright future.’

Professor Lisa Nissen FPS, new FIP Fellow

The opening ceremony also saw Professor Lisa Nissen FPS awarded an FIP Fellowship for her contribution to the work of the federation, and for her global and domestic impact on pharmacy practice.  

This sizeable contribution has stretched more than 25 years, and has included leading:

• the introduction of immunisation services by pharmacists throughout Australia – the Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot (QPIP), 2014-15
• the Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot – Queensland (UTIPP-Q), 2020-21.

Both of these initiatives are examples of Prof Nissen’s strength in driving major health system changes.