Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, Dr Kyra Paul has said that the work of pharmacists is central in achieving health and wellness for the population.
She was speaking during the opening ceremony of the 45th Annual Conference of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP) held at the State House Conference Centre on Wednesday.
The conference was held from August 18 to 24 under the Theme “Pharmacy 2025 and Beyond: Achieving Optimal Outcomes and Healthcare Transformation through Accountability, Innovation, and Research.”
“The work of pharmacists is central to achieving health and wellness for our populations,” she said. “Pharmacists stand at the frontline of healthcare. You are the ones who guide patients in safe medication use, ensure the availability of essential drugs, support chronic disease management, and help drive innovation in health services.”
According to her, in the Caribbean region, challenges are faced, such as limited resources, the impact of climate change, and shifts in health trends.
“The Caribbean Association of Pharmacists provides a vital forum for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional solidarity,” she said.
Additionally, Dr. Paul describes the agenda of the ceremony as rich, diverse, and most importantly, forward-looking.
“It spans research, policy, ethics, innovation, and practical skills that are critical to modern healthcare,” she noted. “Most importantly, in addressing regional health issues such as medication adherence, the cost burden of cancer and NCDs, of course, the health risk behaviours of our young people across the region.”
She mentioned further that it also looks at critical system-level issues, including medicine shortages, “the impact of climate change on pharmacy practice, the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, medical cannabis…”
Dr. Paul believes that all of these underscore that the profession is evolving to meet the realities of today’s world.
The conference attracted over fifty delegates to Dominica, providing notable economic advantages through increased tourism and hospitality activities, while also aiming to enhance professional development and fostering greater healthcare collaboration within the Caribbean region.
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