On October 2nd, 2024, Gulf Medical University organized the annual celebration of World Pharmacists Day 2024, under the sponsorship of Thumbay Pharmacy, empowered by the Modern Pharmaceutical Company (MPC) group. The celebration aligned with this year’s International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) theme, “Pharmacists: Meeting Global Health Needs”.
The event began with welcoming remarks from Professor Muhammad Al Shorbagy, Dean of the College of Pharmacy. In his speech, Professor Al Shorbagy posed an intriguing question to an Artificial intelligence machine, asking it to identify a professional who is most accessible, offers advice freely, is deeply passionate, and plays multiple critical roles in saving lives. To everyone’s interest, the AI correctly identified pharmacists, highlighting the many contributions of this vital profession.
Following the Dean’s address, messages were shared from esteemed leaders in the pharmacy world, Paul Sinclair, President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation; Lars-Åke Söderlund, FIP Vice President; and Professor Craig D. Cox, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Division Head of Adult Medicine and Vice Chair, of Experiential Programs at Texas Tech. They emphasized the global impact of pharmacists and encouraged students to embrace their roles as healthcare leaders.
The keynote session featured Dr. Osama Tabbara, Founding President of the IVPN-Network, titled “Are You an Exceptional and Impressive Student/Pharmacist?” Dr. Tabbara guided the audience through what it means to be impressive, urging them to assess their self and social awareness. He outlined twelve key habits of impressive individuals, Be Punctual, Be Prompt; Speak Well, Write Well; Be Visible & Make an Impact; Be Engaged; Know Your Weaknesses; Control Your Health; Learn All Tasks of Business; Be Agile; Be Emotionally Intelligent; Express Your Happiness; Inject Fun to the Workplace; and Respect Timelines. His insights inspired all attendees.
Dr. Anas Hamad, Director of the Pharmacy Department at the National Center for Cancer Care & Research and Vice President of the ISPOR Qatar Chapter, followed with a talk offering real-life examples of pharmacy professionals excelling in their careers. He also provided actionable advice for students aiming to achieve similar success.
Next, Dr. Saeed Nabil, a clinical pharmacist and a representative member of the international relations committee of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), delivered an impactful talk titled “Empowering Future Pharmacists: Leading the Way in Global Health Innovation.” His presentation underscored the importance of innovation and leadership in the evolving landscape of global health.
To conclude the session, Dr. Samir Mahmoud, Director of Patient & Customer Management at Modern Pharmaceutical Company (MPC), along with Dr. Albraa and Dr. Hamza, product managers from Tabuk Pharmaceuticals, offered valuable insights from a recruitment perspective. Their session provided students with essential tips for standing out in the competitive job market.
The celebration concluded on a high note with a cake-cutting ceremony, bringing together GMU faculty, students, and alumni in a joyful conclusion to the day’s inspiring events.