On Thursday, February 20, 2025, the College of Pharmacy at Gulf Medical University (GMU) welcomed Dr. Abdulla Al Kindi, Head of Department at Emirates Health Services (EHS) and President of the Emirates Pharmacy Society. His visit provided an excellent platform to discuss the evolving role of pharmacists and strengthen collaborations aimed at advancing pharmacy education and practice in the UAE.
The visit commenced with a meeting between Dr. Al Kindi and Prof. Muhammad Al-Shorbagy, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, where they explored potential avenues for collaboration. Their discussion focused on broadening career opportunities for pharmacy graduates, emphasizing the need to integrate practical experience early in the academic journey, a vision that aligns with the College of Pharmacy’s commitment to producing highly skilled pharmacists. They also reviewed national strategies aimed at expanding pharmacists’ roles within healthcare services and providing students with international training opportunities to ensure a solid foundation for UAE pharmacy graduates.
Following the meeting, Dr. Al Kindi embarked on a tour of GMU’s facilities. He visited the Pharmacy Practice Lab, Sterile Compounding Lab, and Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine (TRIPM). The visit concluded with a tour of the Medication Counseling Center at Thumbay University Hospital, where he observed the university’s commitment to patient-centered pharmaceutical care.
