World Pharmacists Day: How Lab Tests Optimise Medication Safety

What is World Pharmacists Day?

World Pharmacists Day is an annual global event celebrated to honour and recognise the vital contributions of pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, and pharmacy professionals to healthcare systems worldwide.

The history of World Pharmacists Day goes back to 2009, when the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) established the day to promote awareness of the pharmacist's role in improving health outcomes, ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines, and supporting the development of sustainable healthcare systems.

When is World Pharmacists Day 2025?

World Pharmacists Day 2025 will be observed on Thursday, 25 September 2025. This day is recognised internationally and set aside each year for campaign activities and celebrations to highlight the essential work pharmacists do in communities around the world.

Theme of World Pharmacists Day 2025

The World Pharmacists Day theme for 2025 is "Think Health, Think Pharmacist." This theme emphasises the pivotal role pharmacists play not just as dispensers of medicines, but as accessible healthcare professionals who contribute to the foundation and sustainability of healthcare systems.

The World Pharmacists Day theme for 2025:

• Reinforces the idea that pharmacists are central to achieving and maintaining good health
• Encourages policymakers, healthcare leaders, and the public to fully integrate pharmacists into health strategies
• Calls for greater investment and recognition of the pharmacist's role in public health
• Aims to promote awareness of pharmacists' expertise in medication safety, patient counselling, and disease prevention.

The Role of Pharmacists in Patient Safety

Pharmacists play a critical role in patient safety by ensuring that medications are dispensed correctly, detecting potential drug interactions, providing counselling on medication use, and serving as the final checkpoint before patients receive their prescriptions.

Key roles of pharmacists include:

• To review prescriptions for accuracy and appropriateness
• To educate patients about medication administration and possible side effects
• To monitor for and prevent drug interactions and allergies
• To collaborate with prescribers to adjust medications as needed
• To advocate for evidence-based medication use and adherence

Why Pharmacists Are Crucial in Healthcare

• Most accessible healthcare professionals for the public
• Act as medication safety experts, preventing errors and adverse events
• Provide patient education, improving medication adherence
• Serve as a link between prescribers and patients, ensuring coordinated care
• Support public health through immunization, screening, and health promotion

Common Medication Safety Challenges

• Polypharmacy (multiple medications increasing risk of interactions)
• Confusing or incomplete prescriptions
• Inadequate patient understanding of medication instructions
• Misuse of over-the-counter drugs
• Adverse drug reactions and allergies

Lab Tests That Optimise Medication Safety

Lab tests for drugs play an essential role in optimising medication safety by providing objective data on a patient's health status, organ function, and medication response. Pharmacists use lab results to identify potential risks, adjust medication dosages, detect drug toxicity, and monitor therapeutic efficacy—minimising the likelihood of medication errors and adverse events.

Why Lab Tests Are Essential for Medication Safety

• Confirm appropriateness and safety of prescribed medications
• Detect underlying conditions affecting medication metabolism
• Identify early signs of drug toxicity or adverse effects
• Monitor disease progression and therapeutic effectiveness
• Guide dose adjustments for high-risk drugs

Key Lab Tests to Monitor Drug Effects

• Liver function tests (for drugs metabolised by the liver)
• Kidney function tests (for renally-excreted medications)
• Blood glucose levels (for diabetes medications)
• International Normalised Ratio (INR) and other coagulation profiles (for anticoagulants)
• Therapeutic drug monitoring (for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, e.g., digoxin, lithium)

How Pharmacists and Lab Tests Work Together

Pharmacists interpret and apply laboratory test results to refine medication regimens tailored to each patient's needs. By coordinating with prescribers, they ensure dosages are safe, effective, and adapted to the patient's current health status, thereby preventing medication-related complications and optimising therapeutic outcomes.

Adjusting Dosages Based on Test Results

• Modifying warfarin doses based on INR levels
• Adjusting insulin regimens based on blood glucose readings
• Revising antibiotic dosages in patients with renal impairment, based on kidney function tests

Preventing Adverse Drug Reactions

• Identifying drug allergies through allergy panels
• Monitoring for drug accumulation in organ dysfunction
• Detecting early signs of toxicity (e.g., elevated drug levels or abnormal liver enzymes)

Common Scenarios Where Lab Tests Prevent Medication Errors

Lab tests are indispensable in scenarios where medication safety is at significant risk, such as initiating blood thinners, managing antibiotics, or treating chronic diseases. Timely and appropriate laboratory monitoring helps pharmacists prevent dosing errors, adverse effects, and therapeutic failures.

Blood Thinners and Clotting Tests

• INR and PT for warfarin management
• APTT for monitoring heparin therapy

Antibiotic Overuse and Resistance

• Culture and sensitivity tests to ensure appropriate antibiotic selection
• Monitoring kidney and liver function during prolonged antibiotic therapy

Chronic Disease Management

• HbA1c for diabetes control
• Lipid panels for cardiovascular risk with statin therapy
• Renal function for antihypertensives and diuretics

How to Participate in World Pharmacists Day 2025

World Pharmacists Day 2025 offers an opportunity for individuals, communities, and healthcare organisations to engage in activities that celebrate pharmacists and promote medication safety.

Get Tested Before Starting or Changing Medication

• Ask for baseline lab tests before starting new prescription medications
• Follow up with routine monitoring as advised by your pharmacist or prescriber

Support Your Local Pharmacist

• Thank your pharmacist and share positive feedback
• Participate in local health awareness events
• Encourage friends and family to use pharmacy services

Spread Awareness Online

• Share educational posts on the importance and history of World Pharmacists Day using the hashtag #WPD2025
• Highlight the pharmacist's role in your health journey
• Engage in online discussions to promote medication safety

Tips for Safe Medication Practices

Safe medication practices are essential to prevent errors and maximise treatment benefits. By following prescriptions, avoiding self-medication, and maintaining regular health check-ups—including necessary lab tests—patients can actively participate in their safety.

Follow Prescriptions Exactly

• Take medicines as prescribed regarding dose, timing, and duration
• Do not alter or stop medications without consulting your pharmacist or doctor

Avoid Self-Medication

• Refrain from using leftover medications for new health issues
• Avoid sharing prescription medicines with others

Regular Health Check-Ups

• Schedule periodic visits for lab assessments and medication reviews
• Discuss any side effects or concerns with your pharmacist

Conclusion

World Pharmacists Day highlights the indispensable role of pharmacists in healthcare and patient safety. By integrating lab tests for drugs into routine practice, pharmacists help ensure medications are used safely and effectively, preventing errors and improving outcomes.

At Metropolis Healthcare, we are committed to delivering reliable pathology services and personalised care to empower you in prioritising your health. Our team of qualified blood collection technicians makes convenient at-home visits, and our advanced diagnostic labs process samples to provide accurate results. With our user-friendly online reports and the Metropolis Healthcare App, you can easily access your test reports and take proactive steps towards medication safety.

FAQs on World Pharmacists Day and Medication Safety

Why is World Pharmacists Day celebrated?

World Pharmacists Day is celebrated to recognise the contributions of pharmacists to global health, advocate for their central role in healthcare, and promote the safe and effective use of medicines.

Why are lab tests important for medication safety?

Lab tests provide critical information about a patient's health status and how their body processes medications, enabling pharmacists to prevent adverse reactions, adjust dosages, and ensure effective therapy.

Which tests are essential before starting certain medications?

Essential tests include liver and kidney function panels, blood glucose levels, clotting profiles for anticoagulants, and drug-specific monitoring for medications with narrow therapeutic indices.

Can pharmacists recommend lab tests?

Yes, pharmacists can recommend appropriate lab tests in collaboration with prescribers to optimise medication safety and effectiveness.

How can I ensure I am taking my medications safely?

Follow your prescriptions carefully, avoid self-medication, keep your healthcare team informed about all drugs you take, and get routine lab checks as advised.