THE International Pharmaceutical Society (FIP) has released a "descriptive global study of the pharmacy support workforce".
The report, titled Technicians and pharmacy support workforce cadres working with pharmacists was commissioned by FIP's Board of Pharmaceutical Practice, and aims to give a worldwide overview of the varied support workforce practices between countries.
The report says the lack of a significant number of pharmacists in some jurisdictions is a significant factor in environments with inequalities and impaired access to medicines, and "often human resources of pharmacy support workforce are used extensively to ensure basic services and improve access to pharmaceutical care".
A range of case studies are included in the report, providing a "pragmatic view of possible formats of collaboration" between pharmacists and support staff, with four country-specific workforce models highlighted.
The report also urges long-term pharmaceutical workforce planning with a vision to develop sufficient numbers of pharmacists to serve the population.
See www.fip.org for the report.
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