The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)-Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) Workforce Transformation Programme (WTP): Transformative programme for Indonesian Pharmacists led by youth and for youth

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on WTP between the FIP and the IAI

By Sherly Meilianti (FIP YPG Project Coordinator), Roy Himawan (FIP-IAI National Professional Officer Chair), Rasta Naya (FIP-IAI National Professional Officer Secretary)

On 23 September 2019 in the FIP World Congress in Abu Dhabi, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (Ikatan Apoteker Indonesia/IAI). This MoU is about the FIP-IAI Workforce Transformation programme (WTP), which is a programme led by the FIP to help member organisations in transforming their pharmacy workforce. The aim of the WTP is to provide strategic support to countries to develop strategies, plans and actions for the development of national pharmacy workforce that are tailored to the needs of each organisation. Specific for pharmacy workforce in Indonesia, the IAI works collaboratively with the FIP to develop infrastructure to recognise pharmacy practice advancement in Indonesia. Further information about WTP can be viewed at this link. News on the MoU can be viewed at this link.

Why the IAI build the Workforce Transformation Programme (WTP) in Indonesia?

Similar to other countries in the world, there is a demographic changing in Indonesia that is an increase of ageing population. This demographic shift influences an epidemiologic transition in which noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly important, while infectious diseases remain a significant part of the disease burden. Taking care of more complex disease resulting from ageing population is one of major challenges for Indonesia’s health system. Pharmacists as medicines expert need to have skills which are more advanced to deal with more complex and diverse medicines in ageing population. It is not only about managing treatment but also about preventing a disease. Pharmacists need to be adaptable, flexible and capable of demonstrating their competency to provide better pharmaceutical care and improve society’s health.

The IAI recognises this need and they worked collaboratively with the FIP to design the WTP for Indonesian pharmacists in order to develop an adaptive, flexible and competent pharmacy workforce. The WTP consists of four phase which are: to create, commit, carry out and continue the vision for pharmacy workforce. To create pharmacy workforce vision in Indonesia, the IAI conducted a preliminary needs assessment for pharmacy workforce using the Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals (PWDGs). Top six priorities were identified: PWDG number 2 (foundation training), 4 (advanced and specialist development), 5 (competency development), 8 (working with others), 11 (workforce impact), and 12 (workforce intelligence). For this first year, the IAI will develop a vision on WDG number 4 and 5 which is related to the development of advanced practice programme and professional recognition system in Indonesia.

What is the Workforce Transformation Programme (WTP) in Indonesia about?

The first phase of WTP in Indonesia is to develop advanced practice programme and professional recognition system in Indonesia. In order to develop advanced practice programme, we first need a definition and a framework to identify what the advancement practice mean in Indonesia. The FIP launched the FIP Global Advanced Development Framework (GADF) in the FIP World Congress in Abu Dhabi. This framework was adopted and adapted from a framework which have been used by many countries around the world (Advanced Consultancy Level Framework or ACLF). The IAI has adopted and adapted this framework to be used in Indonesia context.

The IAI then developed a national online survey to ask Indonesian pharmacists to use the framework, doing self-assessment of themselves, and provide any evidences to support their assessment. A total of 6212 pharmacists participated in this survey. This is the first phase of a major evidence-led transformation, starting with describing the workforce and validating the framework.

Why is it important for Young Pharmacists in Indonesia?

The snapshot pyramid of pharmacists’ population in Indonesia dated 2018 showed that 76% of pharmacists in Indonesia is under 37 years old. This youth bulge population shows opportunities for IAI to keep engaging young with all of the programme that they created. This WTP was initiated by a young pharmacist in Indonesia. The IAI also keep engaging the Indonesian Young Pharmacists Group (IYPG), which is under the IAI Statute, with the WTP. For example, for this WTP, the distribution of the online survey was also carried out by the IYPG through their network. Moreover, analysing of the survey showed that 60% of participants in the survey are within 4 years’ experience showing that a lot of interests for this programme coming from young pharmacists.

The programme itself will be benefited to young pharmacists, because by developing a professional recognition system and national progression pathway, young pharmacists will know where they should go after they graduate and will have an opportunity to plan their development by using this framework. One of the recommendations from the survey results was a need for developing a foundation training for early career pharmacists in Indonesia. This would be the next steps of the WTP. The IAI is also currently developing an online system where young pharmacists are able to have their professional development portfolio easily documented.

What are the key messages from this programme?

The FIP-IAI Workforce Transformation Programme were mapped to Indonesia national needs and also linked to Global Agenda on Strengthening Primary Healthcare. As what the WHO’s slogan stated that “there is no health without a pharmacy workforce” and “there is no pharmacy healthcare without a highly skilled, capable and flexible pharmacy workforce”, this programme will be able to transform pharmacy workforce and support young generations in Indonesia. A long and uneasy process has already begun, and when the plan has been prepared, there is no other word, other than to continue the maximum effort in the transformation of Indonesian pharmacists. Long live the Indonesian Pharmacists! “There is no workforce without youth! and Let’s invest in our future!”