Honourable Chair, Distinguished Delegates,

I speak on behalf of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), representing over four million pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, and educators worldwide.

Mental health and social connection are fundamental pillars of individual and collective well-being. FIP urges Member States to recognise and integrate the role of pharmacists into national mental health strategies. As trusted, accessible healthcare providers embedded in communities, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to support mental health promotion, early identification, and referral, while helping to reduce stigma, being an ideal agent to detect social determinants of health and foster connection.

Equally, it is essential to ensure the mental well-being of healthcare professionals, including pharmacists. This must be ensured through supportive working environments and systems that prioritise their health and resilience.
Strengthening the pharmacy workforce to play a vital role in mental health care is not only urgent, but essential to building equitable, resilient, and people-centred health systems.

Thank you.