World Patient Safety Day: Empowering Pharmacists for Safer Medication in Paediatric and Newborn Care

World Patient Safety Day, observed this year on 17 September, highlights the urgent need to eliminate avoidable harm in paediatric and newborn care under the theme “Safe care for every newborn and every child” and the slogan “Patient safety from the start.” Pharmacists, as accessible healthcare professionals and trusted advisors, play a pivotal role in protecting these vulnerable populations as they contribute to medication safety through ensuring appropriate prescribing, dispensing, and monitoring of medicines, engaging families in care decisions, and providing education on the safe use of medications. By identifying risks and promoting open communication among healthcare teams, pharmacists strengthen clinical safety and help build a culture where patient safety is prioritised at every step of care.

Moderator:

- John Hertig, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Founder and President, Purdue University; Hertig Healthcare Advising, LLC, USA

Co-moderator:

- Hanadi Alolimi, UNITWIN and Provision Coordinator, FIP, Netherlands

Panellists:

- Hossam Elgnainy, Senior Clinical Pharmacist – Pediatrics; Clinical Pharmacy Preceptor; IV Admixture Supervisor, Cairo University Specialized Pediatric Hospital, Egypt

- Mary Petrea Cober, Professor- Pharmacy Practice, Director of Professional and Workforce Development, Northeast Ohio Medical University, USA

- Froukje Harkes-Idzinga, Pharmacist, Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association (KNMP), Laboratory of the Dutch Pharmacists, Netherlands