The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) awarded Claire Anderson its Distinguished Service Award during the opening ceremony of its 83rd world congress in Copenhagen (August 31). 

It “recognises officers or employees of FIP who have rendered exceptional and distinguished service to FIP” and is awarded every three years at the annual FIP congress. 

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Anderson said it was “an incredible honour” and thanked her “dear colleagues who nominated me, it means so much to me”. 

The RPS said Anderson’s award was for “her exceptional leadership” and “her influential work in pharmacy education and workforce development”.

She served as FIP’s academic president and also worked with FIP’s Pharmacy Education Taskforce which saw her work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 

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“Being able to work agilely with colleagues, now lifelong friends, from across the world to play our part in developing pharmacy education and workforce … is something I am very proud of,” she said. 

“I care deeply about the future of pharmacy, science, and education, and as FIP transforms, I do hope that the great work we began in pharmacy education continues to expand.” 

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RPS chief executive Paul Bennett said the award is “richly deserved” and “we are incredibly proud to see her achievements recognised on this global stage”. 

“Her international leadership and passion for education continue to shape the future of pharmacy both in the UK and globally,” he added. 

FIP congress 

The award was one of four individual awards given out by FIP at its world congress, and it admitted seven pharmacy organisations as new members of FIP last week (August 30) to bring its membership total to 157 organisations. 

Ahead of the congress, FIP also announced it elected Nadia Al Mazrouei as its new vice president replacing Lars-Åke Söderlund, as well as re-electing Luís Lourenço to serve another term as FIP professional secretary (August 30). 

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FIP launched its Global Situation Report on Pharmacy 2025 at the opening ceremony of the world congress.  

It said artificial intelligence (AI) needs to be “integrated responsibly and ethically” and pharmacists have been “underutilised” in tackling non-communicable diseases. 

It comes as the RPS announced a set of changes to its leadership team as part of its transition to royal college status next spring, with chief executive Paul Bennett to step down once the transition is complete.