International Pharmaceutical Federation
Encyclopedia
The International Pharmaceutical Federation or Fédération Internationale Pharmaceutique, abbreviated as FIP, is an international federation
of national organisations that represent pharmacist
s and pharmaceutical scientist
s. It was founded in 1912 and is based in The Hague
in the Netherlands
.
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 healthcare, 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.
Mission Statement
The Board of Pharmaceutical Practice represents the interests of all aspects of the practice of the profession of pharmacy throughout the whole world, regardless of any national or local issues.
The development of the profession in all its many facets will be encouraged.
Good communication between pharmaceutical practitioners, pharmaceutical scientists and other healthcare providers will be strongly promoted. The ultimate objective of this aim will be to unify the profession and, as a result, bring about an increase in the standards of healthcare for the benefit of the patient.
The Board of Pharmaceutical Practice, with these ends in mind, will thus endeavour to:
Special Interest Groups have been formed on the following areas:
Role of Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The role of this Board is to handle all scientific aspects of FIP's activities. To fulfill this task the BPS has developed a Strategic plan with a clear mission, namely to establish and maintain itself as the leading forum for representation of pharmaceutical science throughout the world. The main approaches to accomplish this mission are:
s and pharmaceutical scientists meet, learn, share and exchange views. Lectures, plenary sessions, poster exhibitions and section programmes, together with Council meetings and the Leadership Conference make this event the premier international event in pharmacy each year. The social side - finding new friends and greeting old ones - complements the varied Congress programme. The annual Congress also serves the Young Pharmacists Group with specially planned sessions and workshops focussed on current issues facing this unique segment of the profession.
FIP Congress 2011 - Hyderabad, India. Click here to visit the Congress website
FIP Congress 2012 - The FIP Centennial Congress!
In 2012, FIP will celebrate its 100 year anniversary and as such will host the FIP Centennial Congress, taking place 3-8 October in Amsterdam, The Netherlands – the home country of FIP since it’s beginning. This Congress will not only be a unique opportunity for
FIP to make a significant step in the fulfilment of our Vision and Mission, as adopted by FIP Council in 2008, but will be a turning point for the profession on a global level - all present will set the stage for the future on a foundation of 100 years of progress.
The Centennial will offer all participants an invaluable venue for enriching their career while at the same time participating in events and decisions that will steer the future of pharmacy and healthcare around the world.
The main theme of the Centennial is Improving Health Through Responsible Medicines Use, a theme that calls on pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists to take their place as leaders in the healthcare team and do their part to usher in a new era of healthcare on a global scale. The theme will be supported by a world-class programme of expert speakers, symposia, workshops and posters that will bring together participants from diverse areas of pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical science.
Join your peers and colleagues at the FIP Centennial Congress – steer your future and the future of pharmacy!
Click here to visit the FIP Centennial website.
In addition, the FIP AIM manages the official World List of Pharmacy Schools - the most up to date and comprehensive list of pharmacy schools available.
In order to achieve its objectives the Foundation may undertake any of the following activities:
The making of awards in recognition of excellence;
The making of grants to support education or research;
The granting of Fellowships to permit a period of research at an approved institution;
The awarding of Scholarships to permit short periods of international travel in order to study the practice of pharmacy or pharmaceutical science in another country or in other countries;
All other charitable activities which do not conflict with the aforementioned objectives or the general objectives of the International Pharmaceutical Federation/Fédération Internationale Pharmaceutique (FIP).
The FIP Foundation for Education and Research was set up in 1993 with a programme of grants and awards. In addition to the Awards in Recognition of Excellence, the FIP Foundation also makes available FIP Development Grants to young pharmacists in training or research, FIP International Travel Scholarships and FIP Fellowships. In 1997 it introduced the Young Poster Presenter's Awards, which are given to a number of people who have submitted abstracts for the FIP Congress, which have been screened and approved by either the scientific or professional secretary.
Donations and other forms of sponsorship are an essential ingredient to the success of the Awards programme and to the FIP Foundation and has set up a FIP Foundation Supporter's Club. It has developed a series of benefit, both individual and corporate, which will attract potential donors/sponsors. There are six categories - Ribbon, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.
You can read details of the Foundations work in its Annual Reports, which are available upon request from the FIP Foundation.
Federation
A federation , also known as a federal state, is a type of sovereign state characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central government...
of national organisations that represent pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
s and pharmaceutical scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
s. It was founded in 1912 and is based in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
FIP - 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 healthcare, 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
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
(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.
Board of Pharmaceutical Practice
The FIP Board of Pharmaceutical Practice, which embodies pharmacists, has nine sections, each focusing on specific areas of pharmacy, developing and enhancing professional practice through shared experience. The Sections represent the following areas of pharmacy practice:- Academic Pharmacy
- Clinical Biology
- Community Pharmacy
- Hospital Pharmacy
- Industrial Pharmacy
- Laboratories and Medicines Control Services
- Military and Emergency Pharmacy
- Pharmacy Information
- Social and Administrative Pharmacy
Mission Statement
The Board of Pharmaceutical Practice represents the interests of all aspects of the practice of the profession of pharmacy throughout the whole world, regardless of any national or local issues.
The development of the profession in all its many facets will be encouraged.
Good communication between pharmaceutical practitioners, pharmaceutical scientists and other healthcare providers will be strongly promoted. The ultimate objective of this aim will be to unify the profession and, as a result, bring about an increase in the standards of healthcare for the benefit of the patient.
The Board of Pharmaceutical Practice, with these ends in mind, will thus endeavour to:
- Raise professional standards.
- Develop policy relating to the safe and effective use of medicines.
- Develop and expand continuing education.
- Encourage research into all fields of pharmaceutical practice.
- Recognise and reward excellence in pharmaceutical practice.
- Expand the influence and role of the pharmacist.
- Increase, strengthen and expand the functions of the various Sections of FIP.
- Increase the membership, influence the activities of FIP on a world wide basis.
Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences is in place within FIP to provide a forum for pharmaceutical scientists to communicate, network, and further develop their expertise and knowledge in their areas of interest. This is accomplished through member participation in Special Interest Groups that focus on specific aspects of pharmaceutical science and research. Targeted specifically to this group is the Pharmaceutical Sciences World Congress, which is held every 4 years in a different location around the world. The most recent was in New Orleans, USA in 2010, in concert with the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.Special Interest Groups have been formed on the following areas:
- Bioavailability and Bioequivalence
- Biopharmaceutics Classification System
- Dissolution
- Environment and pharmaceuticals
- Individualized Medicine
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Natural Products
- Nuclear Pharmacy
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
- Pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics
Role of Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The role of this Board is to handle all scientific aspects of FIP's activities. To fulfill this task the BPS has developed a Strategic plan with a clear mission, namely to establish and maintain itself as the leading forum for representation of pharmaceutical science throughout the world. The main approaches to accomplish this mission are:
- Coordinating the advancement for the pharmaceutical sciences worldwide by providing a global network for national and Supranational organizations representing pharmaceutical sciences;
- Providing an international platform for interactions amongst pharmaceutical scientists;
- Contribution to public policy issues related to pharmaceutical research - eg. gene products, biologicals, drugs: their Discovery, development, production, regulation and rational use;
- Fostering the career development of pharmaceutical scientists;
- Identifying and nurturing emerging areas of science in the pharmaceutical sciences;
- Enhancing recognition of the achievements of pharmaceutical scientists;
- Interacting with organizations of health care providers to strengthen their scientific base;
- Encourage high quality in pharmaceutical sciences;
- Assisting in advancing the pharmaceutical sciences in developing countries;
- Sponsoring international symposia, conferences and training programs for pharmaceutical scientists;
- Liaising with governmental authorities to establish and to increase financial support or research and development in Pharmaceutical sciences.
The FIP Congress - The World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Every year, FIP organises the World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where thousands of pharmacistPharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
s and pharmaceutical scientists meet, learn, share and exchange views. Lectures, plenary sessions, poster exhibitions and section programmes, together with Council meetings and the Leadership Conference make this event the premier international event in pharmacy each year. The social side - finding new friends and greeting old ones - complements the varied Congress programme. The annual Congress also serves the Young Pharmacists Group with specially planned sessions and workshops focussed on current issues facing this unique segment of the profession.
FIP Congress 2011 - Hyderabad, India. Click here to visit the Congress website
FIP Congress 2012 - The FIP Centennial Congress!
In 2012, FIP will celebrate its 100 year anniversary and as such will host the FIP Centennial Congress, taking place 3-8 October in Amsterdam, The Netherlands – the home country of FIP since it’s beginning. This Congress will not only be a unique opportunity for
FIP to make a significant step in the fulfilment of our Vision and Mission, as adopted by FIP Council in 2008, but will be a turning point for the profession on a global level - all present will set the stage for the future on a foundation of 100 years of progress.
The Centennial will offer all participants an invaluable venue for enriching their career while at the same time participating in events and decisions that will steer the future of pharmacy and healthcare around the world.
The main theme of the Centennial is Improving Health Through Responsible Medicines Use, a theme that calls on pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists to take their place as leaders in the healthcare team and do their part to usher in a new era of healthcare on a global scale. The theme will be supported by a world-class programme of expert speakers, symposia, workshops and posters that will bring together participants from diverse areas of pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical science.
Join your peers and colleagues at the FIP Centennial Congress – steer your future and the future of pharmacy!
Click here to visit the FIP Centennial website.
The FIP Academic Institutional Membersion - the FIP AIM
The FIP Academic Institutional Membership, or FIP AIM, is a Membership that allows Faculties and Schools of Pharmacy to become inter-connected on a global platform of discussion, leadership and shared challenges and successes. The FIP AIM focuses on the parallel evolution of Faculties and Schools of Pharmacy alongside the ongoing changes in pharmacy practice, science, research and their respective funding. All Faculties and Schools of Pharmacy from around the world are welcome to apply for a FIP AIM. These Academic Institutes are represented by their Deans, Vice Deans and other Decision Makers within the Membership activities such as online discussion platforms and the annual International Dean’s Forum at the FIP Congress.In addition, the FIP AIM manages the official World List of Pharmacy Schools - the most up to date and comprehensive list of pharmacy schools available.
The FIP Foundation for Education and Research
The Foundation's objectives are to promote the education of, and research by pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists within the general fields of design, manufacture, distribution and use of medicines for humans and/or animals.In order to achieve its objectives the Foundation may undertake any of the following activities:
The making of awards in recognition of excellence;
The making of grants to support education or research;
The granting of Fellowships to permit a period of research at an approved institution;
The awarding of Scholarships to permit short periods of international travel in order to study the practice of pharmacy or pharmaceutical science in another country or in other countries;
All other charitable activities which do not conflict with the aforementioned objectives or the general objectives of the International Pharmaceutical Federation/Fédération Internationale Pharmaceutique (FIP).
The FIP Foundation for Education and Research was set up in 1993 with a programme of grants and awards. In addition to the Awards in Recognition of Excellence, the FIP Foundation also makes available FIP Development Grants to young pharmacists in training or research, FIP International Travel Scholarships and FIP Fellowships. In 1997 it introduced the Young Poster Presenter's Awards, which are given to a number of people who have submitted abstracts for the FIP Congress, which have been screened and approved by either the scientific or professional secretary.
Donations and other forms of sponsorship are an essential ingredient to the success of the Awards programme and to the FIP Foundation and has set up a FIP Foundation Supporter's Club. It has developed a series of benefit, both individual and corporate, which will attract potential donors/sponsors. There are six categories - Ribbon, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.
You can read details of the Foundations work in its Annual Reports, which are available upon request from the FIP Foundation.
See also
- Evidence-based pharmacy in developing countriesEvidence-based pharmacy in developing countriesMany developing nations have developed national drug policies, a concept that has been actively promoted by the WHO. For example, the national drug policy for Indonesia drawn up in 1983 had the following objectives:...
- History of pharmacyHistory of pharmacyThe history of pharmacy as an independent science is relatively young. The origins of historiography pharmaceutical back to the first third of the nineteenth century which is when the first historiographies that while not touching all aspects of pharmaceutical history is the starting point for the...
- List of pharmacy associations
- List of pharmacy schools
- PharmacyPharmacyPharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
- PharmacistPharmacistPharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
Resources
- Developing Pharmacy Practice - a Focus on Patient Care - Geneva: World Health Organization and FIP, 2006. 97 pages. http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/WHO_PSM_PAR_2006.5.pdf
- Global Framework for Quality Assurance of Pharmacy Education. The Hague: FIP, 2008. 33 pages. http://www.fip.org/files/fip/Global%20Framework%20Final%20Draft.pdf
- Counselling, Concordance and Communication: Innovative Education Pharmacists. The Hague: FIP and International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation, 2005. 50 pages. http://www.fip.org/files/fip/Global%20Framework%20Final%20Draft.pdf
- 2006 Global Pharmacy Workforce and Migration Report: a Call for Action. The Hague: FIP, 2006. 60 pages. http://www.fip.org/files/fip/HR/FIP%20Global%20Pharmacy%20and%20Migration%20report%2007042006.PDF
- 2020 Vision - FIP's vision, mission and strategic plan. The Hague: FIP, 2008. 44 pages. http://www.fip.org/