FIP Perspectives: Realising global patient safety goals requires an integrated approach with pharmacy at the core

Abstract

Patient safety is becoming increasingly recognised as a top priority for action that requires a collective and coordinated response. The leading cause of harm or injury in health care systems is medication errors. As medicines experts, the pharmacy workforce plays a key role in minimising medication errors and mitigating the global challenge of patient safety. Pharmacists' involvement in ensuring patient safety is crucial. Pharmacists are charged with the responsibility to ensure that when a patient receives and uses a medicine, it will not cause harm or death. The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) recognises the critical role the pharmacy plays in realising global, regional and national patient safety goals; and works with its partners, stakeholders and members around the world to advocate for the role of pharmacy in achieving this global patient safety agenda and to envision a world of safe access to medicines and care.

Keywords: Collaboration; Medication errors; Medication harm; Patient safety; Pharmacists; Pharmacy.