International Pharmaceutical Federation - FIP - An Overview

An Overview

Founded in 1912, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). Through its 127 Member Organisations, FIP represents and serves almost two million practitioners and scientists around the world.

Over the years, FIP’s priorities have shifted in both focus and content to meet the needs and expectations of the profession, in expanding healthcare services and harmonising emerging scientific developments. At the time of its inception in 1912, the Federation was primarily focused on the pharmaceutical sciences. FIP executed its Mission through Congresses and events mainly through the gatherings of European participants and leaders.

Through its almost 100 year history, FIP has expanded both literally and figuratively. Changes in pharmacy and the emergence of Pharmacy Practice as a cornerstone of the profession have led FIP to become globally visible for its advocacy on the role of the pharmacist in the provision of healthcare, while still maintaining its grounding in the pharmaceutical sciences. In addition to its Congresses, FIP Membership has evolved to become the most extensive global pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences network and continues to expand its presence worldwide. The Federation’s growing perspective has led to its expansion and development of influential partnerships with some of the world’s leading healthcaresw, educational and scientific institutions.

FIP has a constant motivation to build upon several significant accomplishments of the past several years, the most significant of which is the increased awareness and reputation of both FIP and the role of the pharmacist. This has resulted from the work FIP has done internally and through mutually beneficial partnerships with key global players, such as, the World Health Organization (WHO). The creation of the FIP Regional Pharmaceutical Forums has increased the relationship with the Member Organisations in the WHO Regional and Country Offices, and as such has promoted the role of pharmacists in the WHO healthcare agenda. In addition, as a founding partner of the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA), FIP has played a role in bringing together pharmacists, nurses, physicians and dentists in initiatives that focus on the mutual needs of each health profession while recognizing the unique values and contributions that each profession brings to patient care. Looking ahead, FIP is focused on further cultivating these current partnerships and initiating new opportunities with other global stakeholders.

FIP’s goal of increasing the status of the pharmacist is supported by the success of past and ongoing initiatives. The WHO-FIP Good Pharmacy Practice pilot projects implemented in Thailand and Uruguay in 2005, reported not only measurable success, but tangible changes in pharmacy practice, leading to better patient care. FIP’s work in the fight against counterfeit medicines is evident in its contribution to the WHO IMPACT working groups and meetings. FIP’s contributions in the development of Multisource Pharmaceutical Products: WHO Guidelines on Registration Requirements, has been duly acknowledged by WHO.

FIP has also been successful with the Pharmaceutical Sciences World Congresses, which have served as global platforms for the exchange of information related to the pharmaceutical sciences. The parallel development of numerous FIP initiatives within pharmacy practice and the pharmaceutical sciences have demonstrated that the Federation is able to grow with concurrent streams of interest without losing ground. This has exceptionally promising implications for the growth of new branches of FIP in areas, such as, pharmacy education and the human resources for health. FIP consists of two Boards, the Board of Pharmaceutical Practice and the Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences.