As the “American” Pharmacists Association, we are focused on achieving wider access to pharmacists’ services here in the United States, but advancing pharmacy practice is a global issue, not simply a national issue.

Last month, I attended the 76th International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science in Buenos Aires, Argentina, along with several APhA leaders and hundreds of U.S. pharmacists.

During the Congress, FIP released a global report, An Overview of Current Pharmacy Impact on Immunization, which includes results of a survey focused on the role of pharmacists in immunization practices in different countries. The survey highlighted evidence of the advantage of pharmacists’ extended role in immunizations, including increased accessibility; increased public vaccination rates and coverage; as well as public acceptance, trust, and support.

Another report was released that focused on global pharmacist workforce development so that we as a profession can meet expanding needs for high-quality services around the world. 

I am also extremely proud to share that I was elected to the FIP Bureau, which is equivalent to our APhA Board of Trustees, along with two other colleagues: Linda Hakes, chair of Germany’s Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Tatsuro Irimura from the Jutendo University School of Medicine in Japan.

I look forward to serving on the board and advocating for pharmacists to be on the health care team and recognized as health care providers both here in the United States and overseas.

Thomas E. Menighan, BSPharm, MBA, ScD (Hon), FAPhA; Stacie Maass, BS Pharm, JD; and APhA President Jean-Venable "Kelly" R. Goode, PharmD, BCPS, FAPhA, FCCP, at the FIP meeting