Here’s the translation to American English:
On the occasion of World Pharmacist Day, the Health Counselor of the Basque Government, Alberto Martínez, highlighted the crucial role that pharmacies play in the healthcare system, positioning them as “health agents.” During a meeting in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Martínez welcomed the presidents of the Official Colleges of Pharmacists from the three Basque provinces: Milagros López de Ocáriz (Álava), Juan Uriarte (Bizkaia), and Miguel Ángel Gastelurrutia (Gipuzkoa). The vice counselors of Health and Digital Transformation, as well as the director of Pharmacy from the Basque Government, were also present.
In the Basque Autonomous Community, more than 3,695 pharmacists work in 844 community pharmacies, as well as in hospitals, laboratories, and other health-related fields. During the meeting, the main challenges facing the profession were discussed, emphasizing the need to improve communication between pharmacies and healthcare professionals to optimize care and ensure the safe use of medications.
The counselor emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration between pharmacies and other healthcare professionals, as well as with entities from the third sector. Key programs were mentioned, such as methadone dispensing, HIV/AIDS detection, and initiatives to support home care services and improve therapeutic adherence in patients with chronic diseases.
Highlighted initiatives include the “Botika etxean eskura” program, which facilitates pharmaceutical care in rural areas, and the “Farmabide” model aimed at improving the quality and safety of medication consumption in nursing homes. Leaders from the pharmacy colleges expressed their gratitude to the Department of Health for supporting the integration of pharmacy into the healthcare system, as established in a pharmaceutical provision concert signed in 2024.
Basque pharmacies are essential in healthcare, receiving more than 100,000 daily visits and dispensing over 120,000 prescriptions each day, with a digitization rate of 99.5%. Additionally, they are estimated to offer approximately 7.5 million health advice consultations per year, becoming the first point of contact for many patients. Euskadi stands out for its high density of pharmacies, with one for every 2,639 inhabitants, and notable leadership in the inclusion of women in the profession, reaching 80.4% compared to the national average of 71.9%. With 3.3 pharmacists per pharmacy, Euskadi’s commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical care is clearly reflected.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish