Improving the uneven distribution of the health workforce worldwide: a perspective from the pharmacy workforce.

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) currently estimates a shortage of approximately 18 million health workers worldwide, potentially impacting the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal on health. One of these goals is to stimulate and guide the creation of at least 40 million new jobs in the health and social sectors and reduce the projected shortage of 18 million health workers, primarily in low- and lower-middle-income countries, by 2030. However, since 2006, there have been few surveys conducted of internationally trained pharmacists worldwide, while surveys of internationally trained nurses and doctors are being conducted by the OECD, WHO and World Bank Group. Methods A global survey on intention to migrate was conducted through International Pharmacy Students’ Federation (IPSF), Young Pharmacists Group (YPG) at International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) members. The questionnaire was distributed via email with a cover letter to all IPSF and YPG members with a survey URL. Results This study showed some differences in “intention to migrate”, “the motivation to migrate”, “the length of stay in the host country”, “the satisfaction with initial pharmacy education, home country and home country pharmacists’ work” among the income levels as defined by the World Bank classification. Conclusion To improve the uneven distribution of pharmacists, an education system that connects initial pharmacy education and lifelong education might need to be created or altered to address the role of pharmacists in each country. To that end, we need to share knowledge and practices related the development and implementation of lifelong learning systems and the role of pharmacists in various countries worldwide through studies and the work of international organizations.