Each year, on 25 September, the International Pharmaceutical Federation commemorates World Pharmacists Day. The theme selected for this year is ‘Safe and Effective Medicines for All’. Pharmacists are versatile healthcare professionals practicing in various settings to provide high quality care to patients and to promote the safety and effectiveness of medicines. Pharmacists support patients in understanding the use of medicines, in complying with their medication therapy and in responding to questions about medicine use. 

To commemorate World Pharmacists Day, the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta collaborates with stakeholders to highlight the contribution of pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists in the research on innovative medicines and in the safe use, quality and access to medicines and pharmaceutical services. This year, the Department is collaborating with the Malta Medicines Authority, where an Open Day to discuss pharmacy education and research is organised, and with the Pharmacy Department at Karin Grech Hospital, where medication review sessions with outpatients to support medication adherence are performed. Outreach activities for the general public with blood pressure monitoring are being held in the community in Mosta, Birgu and Valletta.  An impressive number of pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology students are participating in this initiative. The activities will run from 19 September through 25 September.

A press conference to launch the activities was held on 18 September at the Medical School, Mater Dei Hospital, with the participation of Hon Dr Deo Debattista Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Rights, Public Cleansing and Support for the Capital City, Professor Tanya Sammut Bonnici Pro-Rector Strategic Planning and Enterprise, Professor Godfrey LaFerla Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi Head of the Department of Pharmacy, Professor Anthony Serracino-Inglott Chairperson of the Malta Medicines Authority, Emma Theuma President of the Malta Pharmaceutical Students Association, Tamara Attard Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Technology student, academic staff from the Department of Pharmacy and pharmacists practicing in different settings.

With the rapid evolvement of pharmaceutical innovation locally, there are numerous exciting job opportunities for pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists, as well as the need for advanced highly-trained professionals. The Department of Pharmacy offers a postgraduate Doctorate in Pharmacy programme which is attracting a good number of pharmacists from Malta and all over the world and contributing to an increase in the pharmaceutical manpower capacity locally.