Having been an individual member of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) since 2016, I value the global impact on pharmacy an international organisation such as FIP can have. Hence, it is important the RPS seeks to rejoin FIP as soon as practicable as the RPS vision is to become the world leader in the safe and effective use of medicines.
At the 78th FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Glasgow, Scotland, which I was fortunate enough to attend, it was a source of pride to attend a global conference hosted by the RPS. The international collaboration at conferences such as this among FIP member organisations is not something the RPS should be without for too long.
Being a member organisation of FIP has numerous benefits including being part of FIP’s joint collaborations with key global partners such as the WHO, UNESCO, WHPA etc; being a part of a global network of pharmacy leaders; keeping up to date with global practices; and keeping up to date with global trends and advancements.
The ideal scenario will be two-fold: the RPS rejoining FIP as a member organisation and encouraging as many RPS members as possible to become individual members and attend the annual FIP World Congresses of Pharmacy worldwide. This two-pronged approach will ensure RPS fully reaps all the benefits of FIP organisation membership.
Individual members of an RPS national pharmacy board can ensure this issue of rejoining FIP is highlighted and taken forward to the RPS Assembly and Executive to rejoin as soon as possible.
Having been one of the 20 founding members of FIP 110 years ago in 1912, the RPS and its predecessors have always had a strong voice in the global health scene, which we are in danger of losing if we do not rejoin soon. All this at a time when the chief executive officer of FIP is a RPS member, as is as an outgoing FIP vice president.
The status FIP holds as a member of the World Health Professions Alliance is yet another connection the RPS loses by giving up its organisational membership. To be the global leader in the safe and effective use of medicines, the RPS should rejoin FIP as soon as new EPB members like me, if elected, ensure it is put forward to the RPS Assembly for implementation.
Adebayo Adegbite, English Pharmacy Board candidate
