One Health, One Pharmacy has emerged as a powerful vision for strengthening Sri Lanka’s healthcare system, with pharmacists increasingly taking on broader clinical, educational and public health responsibilities to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.
One Health, One Pharmacy highlights the future of Sri Lanka’s evolving pharmacy profession
As healthcare systems worldwide face rising chronic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, ageing populations and escalating medical costs, the pharmacy profession is undergoing a significant transformation. Pharmacists are no longer viewed solely as medicine dispensers but as essential healthcare professionals contributing to medication safety, disease prevention, patient counselling and clinical decision-making.
This evolving role formed the central theme of the 44th Annual General Meeting, Scientific Session and Awards Ceremony of the Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka (PSSL). The event brought together local healthcare leaders, academics, researchers and representatives from leading international pharmacy organisations to discuss how the profession can better respond to emerging healthcare challenges.
The conference reinforced Sri Lanka’s growing standing within the global pharmacy community. Representatives from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA), Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA), together with government officials and industry leaders, agreed that strengthening the Sri Lanka pharmacy profession is fundamental to building a more resilient healthcare system.
A consistent message throughout the conference was that investing in pharmacists ultimately translates into better patient care, stronger healthcare institutions and improved public health.
FAPA President Yolanda R. Robles praised PSSL for selecting a conference theme that reflects the future direction of global healthcare. She noted that healthcare challenges increasingly require multidisciplinary collaboration, making pharmacists valuable partners alongside doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Robles said the One Health, One Pharmacy approach supports stronger cooperation between healthcare sectors while advancing pharmaceutical science, professional education and pharmacy practice. She also commended PSSL for preparing Sri Lankan pharmacists to play expanded roles in improving healthcare quality, increasing equitable access to medicines and ensuring safe, affordable pharmaceutical services.
She further acknowledged Sri Lanka’s active contribution to regional pharmacy initiatives through its collaboration with FAPA, expressing confidence that continued professional development would strengthen both the profession and public health.
Reflecting on his two-year presidency, outgoing PSSL President Priyantha Sahabandu described serving the profession as one of the greatest honours of his career. Guided by the vision of supporting students and young professionals, he focused on preparing the next generation of pharmacists for an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
During his tenure, the Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka expanded Continuing Professional Development programmes, leadership training, student engagement initiatives and international partnerships. Collaborations with organisations including FIP, FAPA, CPA and CASPPER Australia created valuable opportunities for research, education and knowledge sharing.
Sahabandu emphasised that pharmacists today contribute far beyond medicine dispensing. Through continuous learning, ethical practice and innovation, they play a critical role in improving therapeutic outcomes and enhancing patient safety across Sri Lanka’s healthcare system.
Delivering the keynote address, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa highlighted the expanding responsibilities of pharmacists in addressing modern healthcare challenges. He noted that issues such as chronic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, emerging infectious diseases and increasing healthcare costs require integrated healthcare solutions.
According to the Minister, pharmacists now play important roles in medication management, pharmacovigilance, antimicrobial stewardship, disease prevention and patient counselling. He reaffirmed the Government’s willingness to work closely with the profession to further strengthen healthcare delivery and clinical pharmacy services.
A major announcement during the event was Sri Lanka’s successful bid to host the Asian Pharmacy Summit in 2027. Dr. Jayatissa described the achievement as an important milestone that will enhance Sri Lanka’s international reputation while encouraging regional collaboration, professional networking and knowledge exchange.
International Pharmaceutical Federation President Paul Sinclair also highlighted the growing contribution of pharmacists to resilient healthcare systems. He praised PSSL for more than four decades of advancing pharmacy education, professional development and pharmaceutical practice in Sri Lanka.
Sinclair said pharmacists are increasingly expected to help tackle antimicrobial resistance, medicines safety and chronic disease management through evidence-based practice and innovation. He added that stronger international collaboration remains essential to addressing global healthcare challenges.
Representing the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, President Annagrace Malamsha emphasised that pharmacists occupy a unique position within healthcare due to their accessibility and specialist knowledge. She highlighted the long-standing partnership between CPA, PSSL and CASPPER in supporting workforce development, leadership training and continuing education.
Malamsha said closer collaboration between education, research, professional practice and healthcare policy would help expand patient-centred pharmaceutical services while strengthening the Sri Lanka pharmacy profession.
Looking ahead, President-Elect Nirmalanthi de Silva outlined several strategic priorities for PSSL. These include strengthening pharmacy education through closer collaboration with universities and regulatory authorities, expanding clinical pharmacy services and improving professional competencies among community pharmacists.
The Society also plans to deepen international engagement with FIP, FAPA and CPA while working closely with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority to strengthen regulatory knowledge and professional standards.
Among its long-term objectives is the establishment of a Pharmacy Council in Sri Lanka to further enhance governance, accountability and professional excellence.
The discussions throughout the conference demonstrated that the pharmacy profession is entering a new era. Pharmacists are becoming comprehensive healthcare providers whose expertise extends into clinical care, medication safety, disease prevention, research and healthcare innovation.
The successful bid to host the Asian Pharmacy Summit 2027 further reflects Sri Lanka’s growing influence within the global pharmacy community. As healthcare demands continue to evolve, One Health, One Pharmacy provides a timely vision that places pharmacists at the centre of building a safer, stronger and more sustainable healthcare system for the country.