# World Pharmacy Council

The World Pharmacy Council (WPC) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to representing and advancing the role of community pharmacies in global healthcare systems. Established in 2017, building upon the foundation of Pharmintercom (founded in 1987), the WPC aims to provide a unified voice for community pharmacists, advocating for their critical role in patient care and public health.

## History

The origins of the World Pharmacy Council date back to 1987 with the formation of Pharmintercom. This group consisted of community pharmacy organizations from seven countries that met annually to share information, discuss best practices, and address challenges facing community pharmacy. Recognizing the need for a more formal and influential global body, Pharmintercom members agreed to establish the World Pharmacy Council (WPC) in 2016, officially launching in 2017. Since its inception, the WPC has expanded its membership to include numerous national community pharmacy organizations across Europe, North America, Asia and Australasia.

## Purpose

The WPC's primary purpose is to advocate for the recognition and integration of community pharmacists' skills and services within healthcare systems worldwide. The organization strives to highlight the vital role community pharmacies play in providing accessible healthcare, managing medication therapies, delivering public health services, and contributing to positive patient outcomes. The WPC works to influence health policy at both national and international levels, promoting the full scope of practice for community pharmacists and their inclusion in integrated care models.

## Structure and governance

The World Pharmacy Council operates as a not-for-profit public company registered in Australia, with its registered office located in Melbourne, Victoria. It is regulated by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). The WPC is governed by a Board of Directors composed of representatives from its member organizations.
Since 2021 the WPC's President has been Douglas Hoey, pharmacist and CEO of the USA's National Community Pharmacists Association.

## Activities

The WPC engages in various activities to achieve its objectives, including:
* Advocacy: Representing the interests of community pharmacy at international forums like the OECD. As an Associate Expert Group member of Business at OECD (BIAC), the WPC participates in discussions and contributes to policy development related to health and business.
* Research and Data Analysis: Publishing sector analysis reports and conducting research on the impact and value of community pharmacy.
* Networking and Collaboration: Facilitating communication and collaboration among member organizations.
* Annual Conferences: Organizing international conferences to share knowledge and promote best practices.
* Policy Development: Contributing to the development of policies that support the role of community pharmacy in healthcare systems.

## Members

The WPC comprises full and affiliate members. Full members are national pharmacy organizations representing community pharmacists in their respective countries. Affiliate members are companies and other organizations with an interest in the field of community pharmacy. As of November 2024, the full members include:
* Australia The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
* Canada Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada
* Denmark Danmarks Apotekerforening (Danish Pharmacies Association)
* Germany Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA)
* Ireland Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU)
* Israel Israel Pharmacists Association
* New Zealand The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand
* Portugal Associação Nacional das Farmácias (National Association of Pharmacies)
* Spain Consejo General de Colegios Oficiales de Farmacéuticos (General Council of Official Colleges of Pharmacists)
* United Kingdom National Pharmacy Association (NPA)
* United Kingdom Community Pharmacy England
* United States National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)