The pharmacy practice in the GCC region is seen by many experts to have made great progress over the past years, especially in the last decade. In the past, the pharmacy profession is believed to have a “dispensary” function, as shared by Dr. Adeline Saba, Pharmacy Manager from Corniche Hospital in UAE. This involves the classic role of just “handing in” the medication to patients.

However in the last ten years, pharmacy practice has seen a leap from this “dispensary” function towards a more patient-centric approach where pharmacists are more oriented now towards patient care, shares Dr. Lamia Yahya, Clinical Pharmacist also from Corniche Hospital in UAE. The practice is now said to be focused on medication safety and quality of care, as well as on the advancement of clinical pharmacists and their role in the healthcare team, adds Dr. Adeline Saba.

Dr. Mohamed Al Hadairi, head of Drug Central Registration Department, the Executive Board of Health Ministers Council in the GCC States has mentioned that in US and UK, drug problems are usually documented which are then utilized to improve medication to help pharmacists provide pharmaceutical care to each patient, which is something not yet normally done in every health care institution within the different states in the region.

The importance of continuous education for pharmacists to overcome the remaining challenges in the pharmacy of practice in the region is among the key focus of experts nowadays. Dr. Adeline Saba suggests that in addition to the Diploma and Bachelor of Pharmacy degrees offered regionally, pharmacists should consider several institutions providing post-graduate studies and advanced clinical training. The speed of information exchange and growing number of medical conferences should also be optimized by pharmacists, shares. Dr. Ahmed Nadir Kheir from Qatar University.

More than thirty regional and international experts from across the Gulf countries, USA and Europe will join the GCC Pharmaceutical Congress which will take place in Dubai on 5th to 8th October 2015 to discuss the key developments and innovations in pharmacy practice from regulations to innovative technologies. This leading platform is supported by the key pharmaceutical associations such as Emirates Medical Association Pharmacy Chapter, American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), and Oman Pharmaceutical Society and will be inaugurated by the Ministry of Health, UAE.