Pharmaceuticals and public health: Building and implementing a global vision for 2020

As part of the global public health toolbox, pharmaceuticals are an important resource to prevent and treat ill health. From the early development of medicines, such as antibiotics and vaccines, to their delivery to patients in local pharmacies and hospitals, and to the most recent advances in immunotherapy and pharmaceutical care, pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists have strived and continue to strive to improve the health of the public. Although the importance of many pharmaceuticals in improving public health is unquestionable; several challenges exist in today’s global community to ensure that effective medicines are equitably distributed to those who need them. Since 1912 FIP, the International Pharmaceutical Federation, provides an international platform where pharmaceutical science and pharmacy practice meet and bring together objective, scientific know how and expertise on all aspects of medicines, from needs based research to rational use by patients. Over the past 2 years, FIP has developed and published a global vision and mission, based on a long history of activity, to unite pharmacy and pharmaceutical science organisations in achieving a common goal – to improve global health by advancing pharmacy practice and science to enable better discovery, development, access to and safe use of appropriate, cost-effective, quality medicines worldwide. In this presentation, the process and methods of developing this vision will be shared. Concrete examples will be discussed of how the organisation has acted upon and raised awareness of areas as diverse as counterfeit medicines, human resources for health, innovation and rational use of medicines in concordance with global health priorities and in collaboration with stakeholders in the healthcare system.