• Ghana’s “Operation STORM” named best health promotion campaign
• Joseph A. Oddis Award for Exceptional Service to FIP presented to Lars-Åke Söderlund
• Fifteen other pharmacy professionals recognised for excellence

Ghana’s “Operation STORM” named best health promotion campaign

Operation STORM, a project by FIP Member Organisation the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) designed to disrupt the escalating crisis of substance and opioid abuse among teenagers, was awarded the Health Promotion Campaign Award today at the opening ceremony of the 84th World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, in Montreal, Canada.

Substance and opioid misuse have emerged as a major public health concern in many countries, with much of its impact falling on young people through respiratory depression, poor academic performance, and long-term social and economic instability, as well as wider effects on families, schools and health systems.

Focusing on prevention and early intervention, the campaign has, over the past two years, visited more than 17 high schools across the country with structured educational interventions, run large-scale seminars and interactive sessions on the health, psychological and social consequences of misuse, provided one to one mentoring for students identified as vulnerable, facilitated professional referral pathways for those needing psychological, addiction or medical support, and delivered four dedicated televised episodes across five national television stations. 

Throughout, pharmacists across the country served as educators, mentors, counsellors and public health advocates, expanding the scope of pharmaceutical practice into preventive public health.

“This award is a profound honour for the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and, more importantly, a validation of a simple conviction we have long held that pharmacists belong on the front line of public health, not just behind the counter or at the ward. Operation STORM was born out of urgency. Our teenagers are facing a substance and opioid crisis that classrooms alone cannot solve, and pharmacists across Ghana have stepped forward as educators, mentors, and advocates to meet that urgency. This recognition from FIP tells every pharmacist who gave their time to a school seminar or a one-on-one mentoring session that their work matters on the world stage. We remain committed to expanding this model of preventive, community-rooted pharmaceutical care, and we thank FIP for shining a light on what is possible when the profession chooses to lead,” said Dr Paul Owusu Donkor, president of PSGH. 

Joseph A. Oddis Award for Exceptional Service to FIP presented to Lars-Åke Söderlund

Mr Lars-Åke Söderlund from Sweden was presented with the FIP Joseph A. Oddis Award for Exceptional Service to FIP, recognising the unwavering commitment he has shown the federation since becoming a member in 1984.

Mr Söderlund has served as vice president of FIP, president of the Community Pharmacy Section, and member of the Board of Pharmacy Practice, playing a central leadership role in initiatives that strengthen FIP’s unity, visibility and influence. As co-chair of the FIP Congress Programme Committee, he has helped keep the FIP world congress intellectually rich and globally inclusive, and as co-chair of the FIP Technology Advisory Group, he has expanded the federation’s engagement with emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and digital transformation. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he contributed to FIP’s expert advisory group on COVID-19, and he has been a member of the FIP Data and Intelligence Commission for several years. Across more than 40 years, he has consistently brought members together under the principle of “One FIP”, creating synergy across sectors and geographies.

“This recognition means a great deal to me, not only because of the significance of the award itself, but because of what it represents: a lifelong commitment to advancing pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences, and to serving a global professional community that I deeply value. Throughout my career and my involvement with FIP, I have always felt that I am part of a collective effort. Any contributions I may have made are the result of collaboration, shared purpose, and the constant support of many inspiring colleagues around the world," said Mr Söderlund. 

Sixteen other pharmacy professionals recognised for excellence

The FIP 2026 award ceremony, held at the opening of the 84th World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Montreal, Canada, saw 16 other pharmacy professionals from nine countries receive global awards as follows:

• Early Career in Pharmaceutical Sciences Recognition Award
Dr Zaid Almaayah (Qatar)

• Exceptional Pharmaceutical Education Award
Prof. Parisa Aslani (Australia)

• Olivier Bugnon Award
Dr Amanda Cavness (USA)

• FIP Fellowships
Prof Abeer Al Ghananeem (UAE)
Dr Wael Ali (Egypt)
Ms Leticia Caligaris (Uruguay)
Dr Matthew Cherian (USA)
Prof Paul J. Gallagher (Ireland)
Prof Linda Garrelts MacLean (USA)
Mr John Jackson (Australia)
Mr Carlos Lucava (Uruguay)
Mr Igor Linhares de Castro (Brazil)
Prof Silvana Nair Leite (Brazil)
Dr Veronika Seda (Australia)
Prof Tracey Thornley (UK)
Prof Michael Ward (Australia)

Notes for editors

IMAGES will be available after the opening ceremony on 30 August 2026 at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD36d8 

About FIP
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists, pharmacy educators and pharmaceutical scientists, and is in official relations with the World Health Organization. Through its 160 member organisations, it represents over 5.5 million pharmacists, pharmacy educators and pharmaceutical scientists around the world. www.fip.org 

FIP believes it is of utmost importance to support and recognise individuals who, through their vision and commitment to their profession, are making outstanding contributions to pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences, serving as examples for others. Each year, it honours those who have demonstrated commendable work and dedication in areas which parallel its overall mission of advancing pharmacy practice, science and education for the betterment of global health.

About the Health Promotion Campaign Award
The purpose of this award is to annually recognise a health promotion campaign or programme developed and run by an organisation in membership that aimed to improve public health through innovative use of pharmacy practice, education, or science.

About the FIP Joseph A. Oddis Award for Exceptional Service to FIP
The purpose of the Joseph A. Oddis award is to recognise officers of FIP and individuals who have rendered exceptional and distinguished service to FIP. Dr Joseph A. Oddis was FIP president from 1986 to 1990, and the CEO of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists for almost 40 years.

About the FIP Early Career in Pharmaceutical Sciences Recognition Award
The purpose of the award is to recognise an outstanding early career individual who has made important contributions to their field of pharmaceutical sciences at a national level, and who is emerging internationally.

About the FIP Exceptional Pharmaceutical Education Award
The purpose of this award is to recognise an outstanding educator (senior career) who has made significant and outstanding contributions to the diverse field of pharmacy education, and contributions which have had impacts on policy, practice and research related to education at an international level.

About the FIP Olivier Bugnon Award
The purpose of this award is to recognise an outstanding pharmacist, who has made significant contributions to pharmacy within their field of practice at an international level. Prof. Olivier Bugnon was involved in variety of FIP working groups and committees, bringing his expertise and sharing the Swiss experience internationally, primarily in the field of pharmacy practice (community pharmacy) and education.

About FIP Fellowships
FIP Fellowship recognises individual members of FIP who have exhibited strong leadership internationally, distinguished themselves in the practice of pharmacy, education and/or pharmaceutical sciences, contributed to the advancement of practice, education and/or pharmaceutical sciences, and who have served FIP. FIP Fellows may use the designation “FFIP.”

About the World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
FIP’s 84th annual World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is being held in Montreal, Canada, from 30 August to 2 September under the theme “One Health, One Pharmacy – Bridging science, practice, and education”. Some 3170 pharmacists, pharmacy educators and pharmaceutical scientists from 113 countries and territories are in attendance.

PRESS CONTACT
Ms Laila Ghorab
Communications Manager
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
Email laila@fip.org