September 25, 2026 | ANPA-DMV
A prescription is only one part of a patient’s treatment journey. Understanding how to take a medicine, asking questions about side effects and knowing whom to contact when something feels wrong matter too. Pharmacists help patients navigate these everyday decisions.
This World Pharmacists Day, ANPA-DMV celebrates our pharmacy colleagues and the collaboration that connects physicians, pharmacists and the communities we serve across Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.
Led by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the observance takes place on September 25. This year’s theme, “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures,” calls attention to the education, recognition and support pharmacists need to contribute fully to healthcare.
Expertise that goes beyond the prescription
Patients often leave a medical appointment with questions they have not yet thought to ask. Can this medicine be taken with food? Does an over-the-counter product interfere with it? What about a vitamin or herbal supplement?
Pharmacists help translate medication information into practical guidance. They can clarify instructions, discuss potential interactions and help patients understand how to use medicines appropriately. The FDA describes pharmacists as a bridge between patients and their prescribers—a role that depends on listening as much as technical knowledge.
Recognizing that expertise means making room for questions and treating pharmacy consultations as a valuable part of the care journey.
Stronger collaboration, clearer communication
Physicians and pharmacists bring complementary perspectives to patient care. A physician assesses a patient’s condition and develops a treatment plan. A pharmacist contributes detailed knowledge of medicines and their use. Patients bring the experience of living with that plan every day.
Consider a patient who leaves an appointment with a new prescription but discovers at the pharmacy that it is unaffordable. Or someone who is unsure whether a new medicine replaces an existing one. These are moments when a clear conversation between the patient, pharmacist and prescriber matters.
For our physician community, practical ways to strengthen that connection include:
- Providing clear prescription instructions and a reliable route for pharmacy questions.
- Welcoming clarification about medication choices and potential concerns.
- Encouraging patients to discuss difficulties with their treatment openly.
- Closing the communication loop when a treatment plan changes.
These are opportunities to make collaboration part of everyday practice.
Making space for patients’ questions
Patients should feel comfortable saying, “I don’t understand,” or “I’m having trouble taking this.”
At a pharmacy visit, useful questions include:
- What is this medicine intended to do?
- How and when should I take it?
- Are there foods, drinks, medicines or supplements I should avoid?
- Which side effects should I report, and whom should I contact?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
Sharing an up-to-date list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins and herbal supplements gives the care team a fuller picture. The FDA recommends discussing these products with a physician or pharmacist because interactions can affect how medicines work.
No question is too small when it helps a patient understand their care.
Appreciation that continues beyond today
World Pharmacists Day offers an opportunity to thank the professionals who answer questions, clarify instructions and communicate with colleagues on patients’ behalf.
It also invites us to consider how we work together throughout the year. For ANPA-DMV’s community of Nigerian physicians, that means valuing pharmacy colleagues as partners in health education and patient care.
Today, take a moment to acknowledge a pharmacist whose expertise has made a difference in your practice or your family’s care. A personal message of appreciation—and a commitment to continued collaboration—can make the recognition meaningful.
Connect with the ANPA-DMV community
Are you a Nigerian physician in Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia looking to connect with colleagues and contribute to a shared professional community?
Explore ANPA-DMV membership and learn how you can get involved.
To our pharmacy colleagues: thank you for your expertise, your care and your partnership. Happy World Pharmacists Day.
