The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has called for stronger action to support and empower women and informal carers through pharmacist-led care.
FIP, through a new statement of policy shared with Pharmanewsonline, disclosed that women, who constitute the majority of informal carers, are largely responsible for managing medicines and providing support to loved ones. However, their personal health and well-being are often overlooked.
Dr Virginia Olmos, co-chair of the policy committee, stated the importance of the policy, emphasising the growing pressure faced by informal carers as populations’ age and more care is delivered in homes and communities.
She explained that pharmacists play a pivotal role in helping carers understand complex medicines regimens, improving health literacy, preventing medicines-related harm and accessing appropriate health services.
The growing complexity of caring responsibilities has resulted to shorter hospital stays, increased use of digital health technologies and the expansion of home-based care.
These developments she said, have created new opportunities, while also increasing the demands on carers, who are mostly responsible for managing multiple medicines, interpreting health information and separating reliable advice from misinformation.
The policy recommended that government could address the challenges by recognising the contribution of informal carers, strengthening policies that enables pharmacist-led services, invest in education and training, and develop sustainable funding models that improves access to care.
It also urges pharmacy organisations and education providers to empower with basic skills needed to support carers precautionary care, medicines optimisation, digital health literacy and proper transition of care.
Ms Paulino Ema, co-chair of the policy committee said supporting informal carers goes beyond improving medicines use, stressing the need to equip them with the knowledge, confidence and support to provide safe care while protecting their own well-being. She added that empowering carers through pharmacists could improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities and strengthen people-centred healthcare systems
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