Karachi: Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA) Sindh has stressed the need for trained and qualified pharmacists in all hospitals to reduce medication errors, prevent adverse drug reactions, and improve patient care.
Led by President Adnan Rizvi, the PPA Sindh delegation visited leading hospitals and pharmacy institutions across Karachi in connection with World Pharmacists Day 2025to highlight the growing role of pharmacists in clinical decision-making and patient safety. The delegation included Secretary Muhammad Bux Somroo, Joint Secretary Majid Hussain, Finance Secretary Adnan Latif, Press Secretary Farhan Ansari, and Executive Committee Member Dr. Farrukh Rafiq Ahmed.
At the University of Karachi’s Faculty of Pharmacy, discussions with Dean Prof. Dr. Muhammad Harris Shoaib and faculty focused on the new pharmacy curriculum, with calls for stronger dialogue to ensure its effective implementation and alignment with modern healthcare needs.
During their visit to Darul Sehat Hospital, the team met Dr. Sidra Aleem and her pharmacy staff, who showcased their systems for ensuring rational drug use, preventing dispensing errors, and supporting physicians in treatment planning.
At Liaquat National Hospital, Head of Pharmacy Services Harris Siddiqui underlined how clinical pharmacists are now integral to patient care, assisting doctors in drug selection, dosage adjustment, and monitoring side effects. PPA Sindh leaders stressed that every hospital must have such expertise on board to safeguard patients.
The delegation also visited the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), where Executive Director Dr. Tahir Saghir acknowledged the pivotal role of pharmacists in reducing risks linked to complex cardiac medication. He announced NICVD’s plans for expanding clinical pharmacy services and setting up a dedicated clinical trial unit in coordination with the pharmacy department.
Celebrations at the Federal Urdu University of Science and Technology and Salim Habib University further reinforced the message of empowering pharmacists. At Salim Habib University, PPA Sindh signed a landmark agreement with Dvago Health to train pharmacists in diabetes management at the community level, a step aimed at addressing one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing health challenges.
“Pharmacists are no longer confined to dispensing medicines — they are guardians of patient safety. Having qualified pharmacists in every hospital is not optional, it is a necessity,” said PPA Sindh President Adnan Rizvi.
World Pharmacists Day 2025 was thus marked not just with recognition of the profession but with a renewed call to integrate pharmacists more deeply into Pakistan’s healthcare system to prevent avoidable errors and improve outcomes for patients.
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