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Montreal • 1 September 2026
Medication-related harm continues to affect millions of people worldwide despite being largely preventable, prompting the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) to call for greater recognition of pharmacists' leadership in patient safety through a new Statement of Policy released today.
Building on the World Health Organization's (WHO) Medication Without Harm initiative and Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030, the updated policy highlights pharmacists' essential role in preventing medication errors, reducing avoidable harm and improving the safe use of medicines across every stage of the patient's healthcare journey. It also replaces FIP's 2020 policy statement on patient safety and reflects new evidence, technological advances and evolving models of care.
"Pharmacists are uniquely trained to identify risks, optimise medicines use and intervene before harm occurs. Yet too often their expertise is underused within national patient safety strategies. This policy calls for pharmacists to be recognised as leaders in creating safer healthcare systems," said Dr Marianne Ivey, co-chair of the policy committee.
The statement emphasises medication safety extends beyond preventing dispensing errors. Pharmacists contribute throughout the medication-use process by conducting medicines reconciliation, supporting high-risk medicines management, reducing polypharmacy, strengthening pharmacovigilance, improving transitions of care and educating patients to use medicines safely.
Recognising the changing landscape of healthcare, the policy also highlights the growing role of digital technologies, including electronic prescribing, clinical decision support systems and artificial intelligence. While these innovations have the potential to improve patient safety significantly, they can also introduce new risks if poorly implemented. FIP stresses that technology should complement—not replace—the professional judgement of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
"To strengthen medication safety worldwide, the statement calls on governments and healthcare systems to establish non-punitive reporting systems that encourage learning from medication errors, invest in interoperable digital health infrastructure, expand pharmacists' scope of practice and ensure sustainable funding for pharmacist-led medication safety services," said Associate Prof. Ramesh Walpola, co-chair of the policy committee.
The statement includes recommendations for governments, health system funders, pharmacy organisations, pharmacists, education providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. It also outlines FIP's commitment to supporting its organisations in membership through advocacy, education, global collaboration and alignment with WHO patient safety priorities, helping to keep medication safety at the forefront of health policy and pharmacy practice worldwide.
Notes for editors
On a global level, FIP works closely with the WHO directly supporting its patient safety programme and has been closely involved in advancing and advocating global patient safety. FIP also prepares tools for pharmacists practising in different settings and countries across the globe. Learn more here.
About FIP
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global body representing over 5.5 million pharmacists, pharmacy educators and pharmaceutical scientists. We work to meet the world's healthcare needs. FIP is a non-governmental organisation that has been in official relations with the World Health Organization since 1948. www.fip.org
PRESS CONTACT
Laila Ghorab
Communications Manager
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
Email laila@fip.org