The “Medicines To” campaign is an initiative under FIP’s HumanityRx programme, supported by FIP Member Organisations (MOs). It was established in 2022 to respond to disasters and emergencies by facilitating access to essential medicines in a coordinated, safe and needs-based manner. Each “Medicines To” project is implemented through collaboration between FIP’s national pharmacy organisations and local partners in affected areas. Together, they assess needs, source medicines, organise logistics, and ensure targeted and secure delivery to communities in crisis. A defining feature of the model is its pull-based approach: funds are raised to purchase exactly what is needed, based on verified lists from organisations working on the ground (e.g., World Health Organization), ensuring appropriateness, safety and feasibility in every context.
The campaign began in the UK, led by the FIP MO Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA), through the “Medicines to Ukraine” campaign. Coordinated via national pharmacy organisations across Europe, it involved secure cross-border logistics to ensure quality-assured medicines reached Ukraine, with donated funds used to purchase the right medicines and, where appropriate, train and support volunteer pharmacists. To date, this campaign has raised more than EUR 5 million, enabling the purchase of quality-assured medicines and support for pharmacists on the ground.
This model has since been adapted and expanded to other regions, including Africa, where pharmacy organisations have worked with local charities to strengthen preparedness for future emergencies while mobilising resources for communities affected by humanitarian crises.
More recently, “Medicines to Gaza” emerged in response to the escalating humanitarian situation in the region and followed FIP’s formal Statement on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Momentum increased significantly after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FIP, Pharmacists without borders UK (PwB-UK), the Jordan Pharmacists Association, and other charity partners. This MoU paved the way for long-term collaboration, operational coordination, and mobilising humanitarian support. The campaign called on the global pharmacy community to stand in solidarity, contribute expertise, mobilise resources, and raise awareness of the specific health and logistical challenges affecting Gaza. It has since transitioned from high-level advocacy to detailed logistical planning, partner formalisation, and securing financial commitments — demonstrating a unified determination to improve access to essential medicines during times of crisis. In the UK alone, the campaign has raised EUR 29,617 from 477 individual donors to date, supported by strong engagement from community pharmacies.
The initiative continues to expand globally. Colleagues in South Africa have joined “Medicines to Gaza” as a united humanitarian effort, pooling donations to ensure pharmacists and partners can procure the exact medicines required. At the FIP world congress in Copenhagen, leaders from five FIP Regional Pharmaceutical Forums signed a Declaration of Intent to promote the “Medicines To” model within their regions. Today, the campaign is supported by a growing network of more than fifteen national pharmacy organisations across four continents.
In September 2025, the “Medicines To” campaign was recognised as Healthcare Innovation of the Year at the 2025 Chemist+Druggist Awards, highlighting its impact in raising awareness of pharmacists’ humanitarian role and advancing effective medicines-aid in crisis zones. The award was presented to PDA chair Mark Koziol at a ceremony in Central London, where judges described the campaign as “a truly life-changing humanitarian pharmacy movement.”
Global engagement and humanitarian outreach
Beyond campaign-specific work, the PDA hosted the first “Pharmacists for Humanity” event in June 2025, targeting pharmacy students, trainees, and early-career pharmacists interested in humanitarian response. The event featured contributions from PwB-UK representatives and other experts sharing real-life frontline stories and discussions about the logistics, ethics, and organisation of medicines-aid in crises. Discussions are also underway to strengthen coordination with Direct Relief, further enhancing the campaign’s operational capacity and preparedness.
During the FIP world congress in September 2025, a follow up event was hosted by PDA in Copenhagen, where leaders of all five FIP Regional Forums signed the “Medicines To” initiative, committing to expand its impact across their regions.
Finally, PDA has launched a student competition targeting pharmacy students and trainee pharmacists in the UK under “Pharmacists for Humanity”. Registrations are now open until 30th April 2026, with winners being announced in May 2026.
Looking ahead
The initiative is evolving into a consolidated, global and scalable humanitarian pharmacy model. Priorities include strengthening governance and transparency, expanding regional preparedness and rapid mobilisation, and deepening collaboration with established humanitarian and logistics partners to ensure reliable aid routes in complex environments.
To learn more about the campaign and hear directly from colleagues involved, we invite you to watch the short campaign video available online.
Thank you to all members and partners who continue to support and strengthen pharmacy’s humanitarian role worldwide.
Kind regards,
Dr Dalia Bajis
Head of Programmes and Provision
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
Learn more
- PDA reflects on FIP Congress 2025: a global platform for pharmacy progress
- ‘Medicines To’ campaign recognised as Healthcare Innovation of the Year at the 2025 C&D Awards
- Pharmacists urged to support ‘Medicines To Gaza’ initiative on World Humanitarian Day
- International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) supports Safer Pharmacies Charter
- PDA Chairman speaks at FIP’s event on Astana Declaration on primary health care
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