Canadian pharmacy takes the global stage at FIP World Congress 2026

The 84th FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences brought a record 3,455 delegates from 116 countries to Montréal, marking the largest gathering in FIP’s history and an important week for Canadian pharmacy.

Throughout the Congress, Canada’s expanded scope of practice and pharmacists’ growing role in primary care were frequently highlighted by international colleagues as examples their countries are working toward. For CPhA, the week was an opportunity to showcase Canadian pharmacy, contribute to global discussions and strengthen relationships with pharmacy organizations from around the world.

Advancing pharmacists’ role in primary care

Ahead of the Congress, CPhA and the American Pharmacists Association co-hosted the International Forum on Primary Health Care in collaboration with FIP. Approximately 150 senior pharmacy leaders from around the world participated in a lively discussion about how pharmacists can be more consistently and sustainably integrated into primary care.

The forum identified four conditions critical to success: strong interprofessional collaboration, sustainable funding models, regulatory frameworks that enable pharmacists to practise to full scope, and education, training and practice supports that equip pharmacists to take on expanded roles with confidence.

CPhA and APhA will build on the forum by producing a joint report, with FIP supporting the international application of its findings.

Sharing Canadian perspectives

Canadian pharmacists and pharmacy leaders featured prominently throughout the Congress program.

A packed Pharmacy in Canada session brought together leaders from CPhA, the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada, the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists, the Association québécoise des pharmaciens propriétaires and a provincial pharmacy regulator to explore the evolution and future direction of pharmacy practice in Canada.

CPhA Chief Pharmacist Officer Dr. Sadaf Faisal also presented during a FIP Member Organization session, highlighting CPhA’s National Benchmark for Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacists CAN campaign and sharing lessons from Canada on aligning pharmacists’ education, training and scope of practice with the needs of patients and the health system.

CPhA also hosted a Canadian Reception, bringing together Canadian pharmacists and pharmacy leaders to celebrate Canadian pharmacy.

Federal government recognizes pharmacists’ growing role

Following opening remarks from CPhA Chair Deb Saltmarche, Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, addressed delegates on behalf of the federal government during the official Opening Ceremony.

In her remarks, Chi highlighted the essential role pharmacists play in Canada’s health system and the continuing evolution of the profession as pharmacists assume a broader range of responsibilities in patient care.

Connecting with pharmacy professionals from around the world

CPhA connected with hundreds of pharmacy professionals through its booth in the Congress exhibition, where delegates learned about CPS and CPhA’s work to support pharmacy practice in Canada.

CPhA’s IPG Mentorship and Integration Project generated particularly strong interest among international colleagues, creating opportunities to share Canada’s experience supporting internationally educated pharmacists as they enter and integrate into practice. The project was also featured in the Congress research poster presentations, highlighting its results and successes.

CPhA joins global declaration on chronic disease

CPhA played an important role in the development and launch of the FIP Montréal Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases, a global call to strengthen the role of pharmacists in preventing and managing chronic disease.

The declaration calls for pharmacists to be recognized as essential primary health-care providers and enabled to contribute fully across the continuum of prevention and care, including screening and early detection, chronic disease management, vaccination, medicines optimization and continuity of care.

Strengthening international connections

Throughout the Congress, CPhA leadership met with pharmacy associations and leaders from around the world to exchange perspectives on shared challenges and opportunities facing the profession.

These conversations provided opportunities to compare experiences in areas such as expanded scope of practice, primary care integration, workforce sustainability, education and funding, while strengthening relationships that can support future collaboration.

The week concluded with the official Closing Ceremony and handover of the FIP flag from Canada to the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society, which will host FIP Congress 2027 in Kuala Lumpur.

FIP Congress 2026 showcased how much Canadian pharmacy has to contribute internationally while creating new opportunities to learn from colleagues around the world. The ideas, commitments and relationships developed in Montréal will continue to inform CPhA’s work to advance pharmacists’ role in meeting the health needs of Canadians and strengthening the health system.