The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has officially re-joined the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). Their application to re-join has now been accepted, making the comeback official.
The FIP is the global body which represents over 4 million pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. They work to meet the global health needs. It is a non-governmental organisation and has worked closely with the World Health Organisation since 1948.
The RPS used to be a member of the FIP and had withdrawn their registration with the body at the dismay of its member. Back in November 2022 it had announced that it would apply to re-join based on the feedback from its members who reported they were not happy that RPS had left the Netherland-based global body in March in the first instance.
Members wanted to re-join FIP to really further their commitment to global partnerships that encourage and support education and advocate to develop and further the pharmacy profession said RPS president Professor Claire Anderson. She commented that the RPS truly understands the importance of global collaboration and sharing of best practice to continually better the care for the patients across the world.
FIP chief executive DR Catherine Duggan has commented that they are ‘delighted’ to welcome back the RPS to the body.
RPS does have influence over the pharmacy profession in the United Kingdom and re-joining the FIP will heighten their influence for pharmacy advancement at a global level.
It is very clear that all pharmacy bodies need to work together to truly make a difference for the pharmacy profession which will result in improved outcomes for patients everywhere, especially now more than ever where pharmacy faces many challenges and pressures within the healthcare systems. In hindsight, leaving the FIP in the first place wasn’t the best move by RPS but they have done the right thing and re-joined. Here’s to more collaborative working and joining forces to make a difference in pharmacy!