Turkish Pharmacy Day, May 14th, was celebrated at Near East University with ceremonies and events, and future pharmacists donned their white coats.
Remembering the historical development of pharmaceutical science and the indispensable place of the pharmacy profession in the health sector, Turkish Pharmacy Day, May 14th, was celebrated this year at Near East University with meaningful events. The “May 14th Turkish Pharmacy Day Celebration”, carried out in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy, Office of Students’ Dean, and the Near East University Pharmacy Students Association of Northern Cyprus (NEUPSANC), took place at the İrfan Günsel Congress Center.
The event, which concluded with high participation, saw future pharmacist candidates take their first steps on their professional journey with the “White Coat Ceremony”, and have the opportunity to showcase their knowledge in a fun and competitive environment at the “Pharmacy Knowledge Competition.” At the opening of the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Dr. İhsan Çalış, and the President of the Cyprus Turkish Pharmacists Association (KTEB), Dr. Umut Öksüz, each gave a speech.
Moments of pride and excitement…
Following the opening speeches, the “White Coat Ceremony”, symbolizing one of the first steps in their professional journey, was held. First-year students of the Faculty of Pharmacy, accompanied by academics, put on their white coats, making a meaningful start to their professional lives. The ceremony, filled with emotional moments, brought great pride to the students and their families. The event continued in the afternoon with the “Pharmacy Knowledge Contest” held at the Faculty of Pharmacy. The contest, which gave students the opportunity to showcase their professional knowledge in a fun and competitive atmosphere, attracted great interest from the participants.
Prof. Dr. İhsan Çalış: “Pharmacy acts as a bridge bringing together different disciplines.”
Emphasizing that pharmacy is not a profession limited only to the process of preparing and dispensing medicines, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Near East University, Prof. Dr. İhsan Çalış, stated stated that pharmacy is a bridging field that brings together different scientific disciplines. Highlighting that pharmacy is a multifaceted profession that unites chemistry, biology, medicine, and health sciences under one roof, Prof. Dr. Çalış said, “Pharmacy acts as a bridge bringing together different disciplines.” He explained that the roots of modern pharmacy lie in traditional practices, and that pharmacy education has undergone significant transformations from the Ottoman period to the present day. Stating that this process is a critical threshold in terms of the institutionalization of the profession, Prof. Dr. Çalış said, “Pharmacy education has continuously developed throughout history and has become an independent scientific field today.”
Touching upon the indispensable role of pharmacists in the healthcare system, Prof. Dr. Çalış emphasized that pharmacy undertakes a critical responsibility in ensuring patients receive accurate, safe, and effective treatment. Concluding his speech, Prof. Dr. Çalış pointed out that pharmacy is not only a profession but also one of the fundamental building blocks of public health security. Çalış said, “Pharmacists are one of the most important safeguards of the healthcare system.”
Dr. Umut Öksüz: “You must be a generation that develops and transforms the system, not just observes it.”
Emphasizing that pharmacy has transformed into a multi-dimensional structure today, KTEB President Dr. Umut Öksüz said, “Pharmacy is no longer just a profession that dispenses medicine; it is a field that requires staying afloat with knowledge, continuous learning, and adapting to change.” Noting that pharmacists are an active part of the healthcare system in developed countries, Dr. Öksüz stated that in these countries, pharmacists have a say in many areas, from treatment processes to drug safety, from research to digital health applications.
Touching upon the current situation in Turkey and Cyprus, Dr. Öksüz stated that pharmacists sometimes face economic and structural difficulties. He added that the burdens young pharmacists face when entering the profession should not be ignored. Öksüz said, “Our young colleagues face a heavy responsibility right at the beginning of their careers, and this situation needs to be re-evaluated.” Calling for unity and solidarity among young pharmacists, Dr. Öksüz emphasized that professional development is not limited to individual effort. “You must be a generation that not only observes the system but also develops and transforms it.” said Dr. Öksüz, adding that pharmacists should not limit their professional understanding to simply opening a pharmacy.
