Benghazi – The Faculty of Medical Technology in Benghazi celebrated World Pharmacists Day on Monday with an event organized by the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology. The occasion takes place annually on September 25 and this year was held under the theme “Empowering Pharmacists for a Healthier Future.” The event was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Health in the Libyan government, and was sponsored by several institutions and companies in the health sector.
Attendees included Member of Parliament Ibrahim Al-Zaghid, government representatives, faculty members, department heads, students, parents, and representatives from medical and pharmaceutical institutions.
The event focused on the important and evolving role of pharmacists in protecting human health and ensuring medication safety. Discussions covered ways to develop pharmaceutical education and training, and how to link academic outcomes with the needs of the job market to prepare qualified professionals ready to keep pace with scientific and technological advances in healthcare.
Parliament member Al-Zaghid stressed the importance of supporting educational institutions and medical students. He highlighted that pharmacists are a core part of the health system, with responsibilities that go far beyond dispensing medicine to include monitoring patients, raising awareness about safe medication use, and reducing the risks of drug interactions.
Al-Zaghid called for stronger oversight of Libya’s pharmaceutical market and for combating unregistered, smuggled, and expired medicines. He said protecting patients requires clear legislation, effective regulatory systems, proper professional regulations, and more support for relevant professional bodies. He emphasized the need to restore pharmacists to their full professional and educational roles within the healthcare system, to ensure patients are properly monitored and medications are used correctly. Al-Zaghid noted that the issue of medicine is directly linked to public safety and health security.
Ramadan Al-Areibi, representing the Ministry of Health, said the ministry’s participation reflected support for scientific and professional efforts, and aimed to boost integration between health and educational institutions. He explained that improving the healthcare system requires coordination of medical, academic, and administrative expertise, as well as the involvement of key decisionmakers.
Al-Areibi stated that pharmacists are now essential partners in healthcare. Their responsibilities extend beyond dispensing medication to ensuring the right drug reaches the right patient at the right time and in the correct quality, while also monitoring medication safety and effectiveness, reporting side effects, and encouraging rational drug use.
He added that these responsibilities require a comprehensive pharmaceutical system, covering everything from drug selection and procurement to storage, distribution, and patient monitoring. The process should minimize medication errors, fight antimicrobial resistance, and support scientific research and professional development. Al-Areibi called investment in pharmacists a direct investment in patient safety and healthcare service quality, and praised the participation of students and faculty at the event.
Dr. Hamad Bouzreida, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Technology, told Libya News that marking World Pharmacists Day was an opportunity to honor the profession and highlight its role in public health and improving the quality of medical services. Bouzreida said that pharmacy now goes far beyond dispensing prescriptions. It has become a complete field based on scientific knowledge, research, technology, and professional responsibility. Pharmacists play a key role in the medical team, contributing to safe and effective medication use, patient monitoring, reducing risks, spreading health awareness, and participating in research.
He said the Faculty is committed to supporting technical medical education, promoting research, and creating partnerships between educational, health, and research institutions, as well as working with the labor market. The aim is to prepare healthcare professionals who combine scientific knowledge, practical skills, and professional ethics. Bouzreida pointed out that participation from researchers, faculty, students, and companies at the event reflects the importance of joint efforts. It helps create an educational environment that develops student skills and increases their readiness for the job market.
Dr. Darine Al-Sharif, Head of the Pharmaceutical Technology Department, said the celebration was an opportunity to highlight the department’s efforts in training specialized pharmacy professionals. She explained that the department applies local, regional, and international academic standards, focusing on both theory and practical training. Dr. Al-Sharif said the department is dedicated to excellence in technical pharmacy education, contributing to the development of the pharmaceutical industry and services through modern teaching methods, fostering self-learning and teamwork skills, and supporting research projects that address community needs.
She emphasized that pharmacy technicians are essential partners in the healthcare system. The department’s mission is to graduate qualified pharmacists equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ethics required to deliver safe and effective pharmaceutical care.
The event concluded with calls to continue supporting technical pharmacy education, encourage scientific research and practical training, and strengthen cooperation among educational institutions, health facilities, and the private sector. The goal is to prepare pharmaceutical professionals ready to keep pace with rapid advances in medicine and healthcare, and to better serve the community.