September 25 - World Pharmacist Day: history of the holiday, theme and events in 2024
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- September 25 - World Pharmacist Day: history of the holiday, theme and events in 2024
Every year on September 25, pharmacists - employees of pharmacies and specialists in the manufacture of medicines - celebrate their professional holiday. In 2024, the date falls on Wednesday. Izvestia tells about when the holiday appeared and what events are timed to the World Pharmacist Day.
World Pharmacist Day - 2024: the history of the holiday
The holiday (English - World Pharmacist Day) appeared in 2009. It was formed at the Congress of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (International Pharmaceutical Federation, FIP), which represents and protects the interests of the pharmaceutical industry and its employees, on the anniversary of its foundation.
Since then, World Pharmacist Day has been celebrated in all countries represented in FIP, an official partner of the World Health Organization (WHO). Every year it unites about 3 million specialists. In Russia, in particular, about 300 thousand people are employed in this industry.
Russian pharmacists celebrate their holiday twice a year - at the end of September, together with all industry workers in the world, and on May 19. On this date falls the Day of Pharmaceutical Worker, established in 2021 in honor of the foundation of the first pharmacy in Russia.
Both celebrations are independent of the day of the week and are celebrated on fixed dates.
World Pharmacist Day - 2024: theme and events
Each year the celebration is dedicated to a certain theme. Thus, last year it was designated as "pharmacy strengthens the health system". The theme for World Pharmacist Day 2024 is "pharmacists: meeting the world's health needs".
The WHO website emphasizes that pharmacists play an important role in national health systems. They are often the first point of contact for medical advice and primary health care in the population.
It is noted, however, that health problems are becoming increasingly global, as demonstrated in particular by the coronavirus pandemic.
In the run-up to the celebration, the International Pharmaceutical Federation will hold a symposium that will focus on the delivery of pharmaceutical services and their accessibility to citizens. A report will also be presented on regulatory models and practices of pharmacy organizations in several European and Asian regions.
In addition, the World Pharmacy Week will be held in different countries starting from 2020. Within its framework, scientific seminars, experience exchange meetings and other events will be organized.
World Pharmacist Day 2024: interesting facts
Knowledge about medicines and the processes of their manufacture appeared in ancient times. Then medicinal plants were used to treat diseases. During the Middle Ages, alchemy began to develop, the purpose of which was to study the properties of various substances. These studies gave a powerful impetus to the development of chemistry, and later pharmaceuticals. As a separate science, it was formed only by the end of the XVIII century.
The word "pharmacy" itself is of ancient Greek origin. It first appears in the writings of Hippocrates as a place to store medicines. Later, this was the name of premises where not only stored but also prepared medicinal potions.
In Russia, the first pharmacy appeared under Ivan IV the Terrible. However, only those close to the tsar could use its services. People continued to turn to witches and witch doctors for treatment of diseases. The first public pharmacy appeared in Moscow in 1672, and only under Peter I, in the early XVIII century, they began to open everywhere.
Earlier "Izvestia" told about the Day of Medical Worker and how it is celebrated in Russia.
