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Health Team
Pharmacists are increasingly becoming a first point of contact for South Africans seeking healthcare advice. As their responsibilities grow, so does the need to ensure they have the training, resources and support to help communities make informed health decisions.
World Pharmacists Day provides an important opportunity to recognise the role pharmacists play in helping South Africans access and navigate healthcare. But recognition should go beyond acknowledging their contribution. As the demands placed on pharmacists continue to grow, we also need to consider whether they have the resources, training and support required to meet those demands effectively. For many people, pharmacists are one of the most accessible healthcare professionals in their communities.
They are often the first point of contact for questions about everyday health concerns, self-care and the responsible use of medicines. Just as importantly, pharmacists can help people understand when a health concern requires further attention and referral to a doctor or another healthcare professional.
This role carries significant responsibility. Kenvue’s previously published research found that 82% of surveyed South African pharmacists regularly provide advice to people who are unable to access a GP, while 76% reported experiencing increased demands on their time. These findings point to an important reality: pharmacists are increasingly being relied upon to help people make informed decisions about their health, while managing growing demands on their time and expertise.
Supporting pharmacists therefore needs to be part of the broader conversation about strengthening healthcare. This includes access to continuous professional education, credible and evidence-based health information, and systems that enable pharmacists to provide appropriate guidance while recognising the limits of their professional role.
The 2026 World Pharmacists Day theme, “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures,” speaks directly to this need. Empowerment is not simply about recognising what pharmacists contribute; it is about ensuring they have the knowledge, resources and support to continue making that contribution responsibly and effectively.
A healthier future requires a healthcare system in which every professional is equipped to play their role and pharmacists are an important part of that picture.
By: Astrid Stealey, Area Managing Director, South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa, Kenvue
ENDS
Source: SA Health News
