FIP’s Gender Equity programme is a transformative initiative dedicated to fostering gender equity in the pharmacy workforce. Our program is committed to promoting a more inclusive and balanced environment within the pharmacy profession by advocating for gender-responsive workforce policies.
Programme objectives:
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Gender-based disparities in the management of pain in pharmacy:
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The role of pharmacists in closing the gender pain gap: Report from an international insight board2023 This report focuses on the critical role of pharmacists in addressing the gender pain gap. It also highlights the disparities in pain treatment experienced by women, often resulting from unconscious biases and stereotypes. The insight board emphasises the need for pharmacists to be aware of these biases and to adopt a gender-responsive approach to pain management. It suggests that education and training are essential in equipping pharmacists with the skills to provide equitable patient-centred care. This report also mentions the influence of culture and race on pain perception and management, advocating for a more inclusive healthcare system. Additionally, it underscores the importance of interprofessional collaboration in closing the gender pain gap, ensuring that all healthcare professionals are aligned in their efforts to provide fair and effective pain management for all genders.
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Pharmacists’ support in pain management across genders: Insight board report2023 The insight board aimed to explore how pharmacists can be more effectively involved in pain management for both men and women, including screening for pain-related conditions, identifying opportunities for interventions, and determining training needs for pharmacists. |
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The role of pharmacists in promoting female intimate wellness: Report from an international insight board2022 This report explores the critical role pharmacists play in women’s health, particularly in the area of intimate wellness. It discusses the gender pain gap in healthcare and the importance of pharmacists’ awareness of gender inequalities in pain research and treatment. The report highlights the need for pharmacists to address unconscious bias in pain management and to develop knowledge, attitudes, and practices that close the gender pain gap. It also outlines how pharmacists can be supported through training and tools to address gender inequalities in pain management. The insights and potential lessons learned from the report aim to forward the pharmacy profession’s contribution to closing the gender pain gap and achieving behavioural change towards women’s health needs. |
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FIP Statement of Policy on pharmacists supporting women and responsible use of medicines - Empowering informal carers2019 This FIP Statement of Policy focuses on empowering informal carers, particularly women, who often undertake unpaid healthcare roles. It acknowledges the disproportionate amount of care work performed by women and the need for their empowerment, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The policy highlights the unique position of pharmacists to support these caregivers through education, information, and advocacy, thereby enhancing the responsible use of medicines. It underscores the importance of recognizing and valuing the contribution of women as informal carers in healthcare systems, and the role of pharmacists in facilitating their work and ensuring better health outcomes. |
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EquityRx collection: Inclusion for all, equity for all2019 The collection emphasises the importance of inclusion and equity, showcasing efforts to champion women in pharmacy and health, and aligns with global strategies for women’s workforce participation. It is a call to action for transformative policies and initiatives that promote gender equity and support the role of women in science and academia, as well as in informal caregiving roles.
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Pharmacy Workforce Intelligence: Global Trends Report2018 This 2018 Workforce Intelligence report provides an overview of global trends of the pharmaceutical workforce over the past decade, building on our previous reports in 2006, 2009, 2012 and the 2015 FIPEd Global Report on Workforce. The provides an analysis of the global pharmacy workforce, highlighting a projected 40% growth by 2030. It discusses the increase in pharmacist capacity, with disparities across regions and slower growth in low-income countries. The report notes a shift towards a female-dominated workforce, with women expected to make up 72% by 2030. It emphasises the need to address workforce capacity inequities to ensure safe and effective medicine use globally.
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Pharmacists supporting women and responsible use of medicines2018 This report focuses on the important role pharmacists play in empowering women, particularly as informal caregivers. It acknowledges the significant, often unpaid, contribution of women to global healthcare and the unique position of pharmacists to support them. The report discusses the challenges faced by women in accessing quality healthcare and the potential of pharmacists to improve health literacy and medicine use. It also examines the impact of caregiving on women’s health and advocates for policies that recognise and support their role in healthcare delivery.
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Gender Equity in the Health Workforce: Accelerating progress8 May 2024 Gender inequities persist in the pharmaceutical and health workforce, hindering the professional growth and opportunities for women. The COVID-19 pandemic has also disproportionately affected women in the workforce, magnifying these inequities which may in turn lead to women leaving the health workforce. |
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The role of pharmacists in closing the gender pain gap27 January 2023 This event aims to: 1) Define gender pain gap. 2) Increase awareness about gender pain gap. 3) Describe how pharmacists can be supported to address the issue. 4) Describe the knowledge and training for pharmacists to close the gender pain gap.
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Vaccinations and the genders: Examining inequities in gender access and handling of vaccinations globally to inform pharmacy policy10 August 2021 Examines inequities in gender access to vaccines to inform pharmacy policy. |
2023 This article outlines key steps to enhance gender equality in pharmacy leadership positions. It highlights international initiatives aimed at achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality. The article stresses the crucial role that pharmacy professional bodies can play in promoting change and accelerating the progress of women in leadership roles across all regions and countries.
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Empowering women as informal caregivers
Women are the non-professional caregivers closest to healthcare professionals and, more often than not, are the ones who go to pharmacies and assume responsibilities for health in the household. In general, women tend to seek treatment and go to doctors’ or pharmacy’s offices more frequently than men do. In the United States, about 75% of family caregivers are women, and approximately 25% are spouses.1 With the population ageing, women are increasingly volunteering to care for their elderly family members. FIP’s report “Pharmacists supporting women and responsible use of medicines” showcases how pharmacists should work to empower women in their role as an informal caregiver, to communicate to women the need to be informed about medicines and to support their health literacy, in order for them to be able to positively influence others. By intervening with compassion and providing information, resources, and support, pharmacists may positively affect care recipients and their caregivers.
