The General Pharmaceutical Council of Spain supports "Think Health, Think Pharmacy" as part of the campaign launched by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). We are confident that pharmacies contribute to reinforcing the healthcare capacity of health systems around the world, strengthening Primary Health Care, as stated in the Astana Declaration of 2018.
In Spain, 56,000 pharmacists working in the network of 22,220 community pharmacies provide care to more than 2.3 million citizens daily, which makes them the most accessible and convenient health professional and health centre in every community, as 99% of the population is served by at least one pharmacy in their place of residence.
In this campaign, FIP advocates that pharmacies carry out a wide range of services beyond dispensing medicines and counselling. Spanish Pharmacy Representative Bodies work to promote these services, including, for instance, rapid tests and screening, medicines review with follow-up programs and adherence to treatment, among others.
We should all join this FIP initiative and work to ensure that the pharmaceutical profession plays an increasingly important role in the interests of patients as a vital resource for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3: good health and well-being for all.
Raquel Martinez, Secretary General of the General Pharmaceutical Council of Spain.