On October 15th, 2024, the College of Pharmacy at Gulf Medical University celebrated World Pharmacy Technician Day 2024, aligning with this year’s International Pharmaceutical Federation’s (FIP) theme, “Working together for the future of health care.”
The event began with opening remarks from Professor Muhammad Al-Shorbagy, Dean of the College of Pharmacy. In his speech, he emphasized how the college recognizes and values pharmacy technicians as a cornerstone of pharmacy operations. He underscored that GMU is the only College of Pharmacy in the Middle East to celebrate this special day, reflecting the university’s forward-thinking vision of graduating future leaders in this essential field.
Following the Dean’s welcome, a video message from GMU’s Diploma in Pharmacy Technician students, Batch 2023, showcased the skills and training they have acquired. The video demonstrated how GMU prepares its students to become competent pharmacy technicians and future healthcare leaders.
The celebration continued with a special recorded message from Susan James, Acting Registrar at the Ontario College of Pharmacists and Chair of FIP’s Pharmacy Technician Advisory Committee. Suzan shared valuable insights into the evolving roles of pharmacy technicians globally and emphasized how their responsibilities are expanding across healthcare systems worldwide.
The event concluded with an engaging talk by Richard R. Diaz, a pharmacy technician from the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, titled “Pharmacy Technicians – The Backbone for Pharmacy Operations”. Richard shed light on the critical responsibilities of pharmacy technicians in healthcare, from preparing and dispensing medications to managing inventory. He also compared the distinct roles of pharmacy technicians in retail and hospital settings, explaining how they contribute to both outpatient care and inpatient services.
The celebration brought together students from PG PharmD, BPharm, Master in Clinical Pharmacy, and Diploma in Pharmacy Technician programs, showcasing how this blend can work together for the future of the pharmacy profession.
The event concluded with a group photo, capturing students, faculty, and professionals.