(By Catarina Nobre, 13/12/21)
After more than a year of preparation and countless hours of brainstorming and discussion, it was on the last 22nd November that the Portuguese Young Pharmacists have publicly presented their White Book, containing their Vision for the decade, together with recommendations on how to achieve it.
In Portugal, 40% of the pharmacists are less than 35 years old and, thus, it is essential to ensure the opinion of this considerable share of the profession is heard and represented. With more than 30 years of existence, the Portuguese Young Pharmacists’ Association (APJF) recognised its responsibility, voicing the needs and advocating for solutions, and came up with an initiative that gathered around one hundred Portuguese young pharmacists, proposing not only a more sustainable future for the health system but also a more efficient way to obtain positive results on people’s health.
One of the main goals is to have a more informed society, both for health and well-being. For that, we must invest in health literacy and in the combat against misinformation, by prioritising health education at all levels of education. Also, in a technology-led society, it is impossible to dissociate data and clinical records as critical health information to improve care. Hence, we defend the democratised access to secure digital infrastructures to support health activities and adequate interoperability of the different healthcare providers' systems through data harmonisation. This is not possible without efficient communication channels between health professionals that promote inter collaboration and articulation between different levels of care.
The valorisation and accountability of the profession should increase with a forward-looking regulation, aiming for its modernisation and ability to better fit into the emerging health and professional challenges. Some recommendations such as taking an active role in national and international cooperation, reviewing the methodology of remuneration and provision of the pharmaceutical service, and differentiating the technical and scientific competencies will only strengthen the regulatory framework and promote the connection of qualifications, competencies, and professional activities of pharmacists.
Access to innovation was not put aside and Portuguese young pharmacists believe that, in order for patients to use the latest health technologies, a model of Value-Based Healthcare must be implemented, as well as the increase of transparency and agility of processes and integration of real-world data. Additionally, patients should be included in the decision and the use of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMs) is to be promoted.
As young health professionals, our curricular training and the modernisation of the competency framework are dear to us. The innovation of the education model of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Portugal and the adaptation of the programmatic contents to the evolution of the professional experience for pharmacists is urgent.
Finally, we believe the pharmaceutical intervention for society will reach its highest potential through ensuring structured clinical intervention in community settings by pharmacists and an expansive pharmacotherapeutic follow-up and leveraging digital transformation to continue reinventing pharmacy and pharmacy services.
This White Book lists Portuguese young pharmacists’ priorities but also represents a professional’s joint effort that will be presented to political stakeholders and national and international partners, hoping to be fully succeeded by 2030.
COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragilities of our health system and APJF believes that it is the right time to put into practice what was learned. It is crucial to take advantage of the scientific competencies and high-trusted performance of pharmacists and put them to society’s service.
APJF is honored to invite you to have to go through its White Book, which is available both in Portuguese or English versions.
