Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital Pharmacist Syed Sıkandar Shah made a statement about 14 May National Pharmacy Day:

Since 1968, Turkey has been observing National Pharmacy Day on May 14. On this day each year, vibrant celebrations are held nationwide and include a variety of educational events (such as conferences, panels, meetings, pharmacy awareness campaigns, and other health promotion activities) and social activities (concerts, galas, dinners, etc.). On this day, pharmacists also enjoy the unique opportunity to appear in the media and to convey their ideas to a vast audience. Given the importance of this day, the Turkish Pharmacists’ Association (TPA), its regional chambers, and all Faculties of Pharmacy begin planning the organization of their events at least a month in advance. Indeed, for nearly every Turkish pharmacist, May 14 is much like the traditional “New Year’s Day”; it is a time to reflect upon the past year and to gather new hope and energy for the times to come. Despite the popularity of National Pharmacy Day, many pharmacists are still unaware of the significance of May 14.

Pharmacists are health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use. Pharmacists undergo university-level education to understand the biochemical mechanisms and actions of drugs, drug uses, therapeutic roles, side effects, potential drug interactions and monitoring parameters. This is mated to anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. Pharmacists interpret and communicate this specialized knowledge to patients, physicians, and other health care providers. Some of the duties and responsibilities of pharmacists are to prepares medications by reviewing and interpreting physician orders, detecting therapeutic incompatibilities, Dispenses medications by compounding, packaging, and labeling pharmaceuticals, Controls medications by monitoring drug therapies; advising interventions, Completes pharmacy operational requirements by organizing and directing technicians’ work flow; verifying their preparation and labeling of pharmaceuticals; verifying order entries, charges, and inspections, Provides pharmacological information by answering questions and requests of health care professionals; counseling patients on drug therapies, Develops hospital staff’s pharmacological knowledge by participating in clinical programs; training pharmacy staff, students, interns, externs, residents, and health care professionals, Complies with state and federal drug laws as regulated by the state board of pharmacy, the drug enforcement administration, and the food and drug administration by monitoring nursing unit inspections; maintaining records for controlled substances; removing outdated and damaged drugs from the pharmacy inventory; supervising the work results of support personnel; maintaining current registration; studying existing and new legislation; anticipating legislation; advising management on needed actions, Protects patients and technicians by adhering to infection-control protocols, Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations, Maintains pharmacological knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies, Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

I Syed Sıkandar SHAH, Pharmacist at Dr. Suat Günsel Girne University Hospital wish every turkish Pharmacist a Happy National Pharmacy day.