Analysis of the leadership competencies and development opportunities for pharmacy students and professionals

Abstract

Developing leadership competencies through training and continuous professional development of pharmacists is a learning outcome embedded in many countries' national educational and professional standards. This study aimed to examine leadership competencies according to the standards set by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and explore leadership development opportunities for pharmacy students and professionals worldwide. For this purpose, a systematic literature review was conducted, analysing official FIP reports, academic publications, educational programmes, data from national healthcare agencies, and other relevant sources. In 2016, FIP established thirteen workforce development goals (DGs), including DG 6, “leadership development”. In 2022, these DGs were expanded, detailing the mechanism for implementing DG 6 at three levels: the workforce element (integration of leadership within professional competencies), the practice element (leadership development to enhance professional autonomy), and the science element (integration of leadership into scientific endeavours). According to the FIP report (2022), “leadership development” is a priority in regions such as the Western Pacific (Japan, Singapore), the Eastern Mediterranean (Egypt), and Africa (South Africa). Concurrently, countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Singapore offer the greatest variety of leadership development options. In line with DG 6, young professionals in the pharmaceutical industry are encouraged to develop leadership competencies such as inspiring and empowering others, effective communication, conflict resolution, strategic thinking, proactivity, and other transferable skills. Following the Global Advanced Development Framework (GADP), attention should be directed towards the ongoing professional development of pharmacy practitioners throughout their careers rather than solely in the early stages of career progression. According to the GADP, leadership competencies are grouped into three clusters: for pharmacy practitioners at the initial stages of advancement, for leaders in pharmacy at the local and regional levels, and for leaders in pharmacy at the national and international levels. Opportunities for developing leadership competencies for pharmaceutical professionals are available in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and South Africa. In Ukraine, the Bogomolets National Medical University has developed an elective course, Leadership in Pharmacy, aligned with international standards.