“Although it does not translate into an increase in pharmaceutical human resources within the National Health Service (SNS), it is undoubtedly an important recognition and valorization of the pharmacists already integrated into the Pharmaceutical Career,” states Helder Mota Filipe, the president of the Order of Pharmacists (OF), in a statement.
The president emphasizes that, gradually, measures are being implemented to “value pharmacists and empower health institutions to provide more and better pharmaceutical care.”
“We have achieved recognition for specialties awarded by the OF; we have ensured that resident pharmacists maintain their contractual ties with SNS institutions; and we have enhanced the human pharmaceutical resources integrated into the Pharmaceutical Career through the revision of the remuneration table and the opening of positions for career progression,” notes Helder Mota Filipe.
However, according to the president, “only part of the journey has been completed,” asserting the need to modernize the legislation regulating pharmaceutical activities in hospitals to “offer more and better services” to citizens, adhering to the highest international quality standards, concerning both quality and working conditions, as well as the dignification of pharmacists in the SNS.
The decree authorizing the initiation of recruitment procedures for filling 50 senior pharmacist advisor positions and 150 pharmacist advisor positions within the pharmaceutical and special pharmaceutical careers in the staff maps of health services and establishments integrated into the National Health Service was published on Monday in the Official Gazette.
The Order of Pharmacists highlights that the measure is part of the agreement signed between the Ministry of Health and the National Pharmacists’ Union, which also included the revision of the remuneration table for pharmacists integrated into the Pharmaceutical Career and resident pharmacists, as well as the integration of pharmacists who complete the Pharmaceutical Residency in the institutions where they are trained.
