THE sustainability of the healthcare sector has been called into question by FIP president, Australian Paul Sinclair.
During his presidential address at the opening of FIP's 81st World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brisbane on 24 Sep, Sinclair declared that, "for far too long, the negative impact of the healthcare sector on our environment has been a marginal topic".
Sinclair's speech focused on sustainability and described how FIP's SustainabilityRx program addresses the linked issues of environmental and planetary health, response to disasters and pandemics, and sustainable services.
Sinclair explained that sustainability requires not only economic viability, environmental protection, and social equity but also basic human needs such as healthcare to be met.
"Health systems must become more efficient as many needs could be met by pharmacists," he added.
He underlined primary healthcare as a cornerstone of sustainable health systems and universal health coverage but also emphasised the importance of workforce, education, technology, research, collaboration and funding.
"Pharmacy itself must be sustainable," he said, expressing concern about pharmacists being pressured to deliver more services without adequate support and of pharmacies reducing their opening hours or even closing completely in some countries.
"This is an enormous blow to communities, and health and finance ministers alike must recognise pharmacy as integral to a well-functioning health system."
Sinclair urged the pharmacy profession to remain as united against challenges as it had been during the COVID-19 pandemic to help build a more sustainable future for healthcare.
MEANWHILE, the FIP's 2023 Pharmaceutical Education Organisational Award went to Monash University, Australia, for its development of 'MyDispense'.
This is a free online simulation tool that helps provide a safe environment for pharmacy students to hone their dispensing skills.
Pictured: FIP's Paul Sinclair presenting the award to Prof Arthur Christopolous, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Monash University. JG
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