Pharmacy workforce development goals have widespread international support, a new report from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) suggests. 

21 countries, representing all five World Health Organization regions, contributed data to Research, development and evaluation strategies for pharmaceutical education and workforce: A global report, which was launched at the World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Seoul. 

The report features case studies looking at the progress these countries (which include the UK, Brazil, China and Uganda) have made towards achieving FIP’s 13 Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals (PWDGs). These goals cover areas including competency-based training frameworks and advanced and specialist development. While countries vary in the level of progress made, FIP says, “all countries, regardless of economic status, have reported some degree of alignment with the goals.”

The report contains evidence-based recommendations to support the adoption of the PWDGs. It also calls for global engagement in developing workforce strategies; in particular, more routine use of technology-driven education. 

FIP education development team director, professor Ian Bates, said the report is a “starting point” for a discussion on how to progress these goals internationally “through evidence, evaluation and progressive policy planning.” 

Professor Bates added: “FIP encourages global leaders in professional education research, in addition to leadership bodes and universities, to contribute to the process of identifying a global agenda for workforce development.”