Greater progression of the pharmacy profession is needed in order to address challenges such as inequitable healthcare access, medicines shortages, antimicrobial resistance, and substandard and falsified medicines, FIP president Paul Sinclair said today in his opening address at FIP’s 82nd World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The president also highlighted a need for innovation in pharmacy to address public health challenges and disparities, citing pharmacy-based vaccination as an example of an innovative approach that has had high impact. He said: “Innovation is not just beneficial — it’s essential. Innovating pharmacy enhances patient care, improves therapeutic outcomes, addresses the dynamic challenges of health care, and propels the profession forward.”

He said that the application of three principles — integrity, performance and passion — would help facilitate the advancement of the profession.

FIP’s passion for pharmacy had led it to create its “Think Health, Think Pharmacy” campaign to advance the profession, he said, and urged pharmacists from around the world to support it. “Promoting our professional identity will facilitate more pharmacy services with benefits for our communities,” he added.

The FIP world congress is being held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 1 to 4 September.