Q: How does IPFM help pharmacists to develop their skills and position in the health sector?
MG: Our mission is to raise awareness of the vital role pharmacists play in the healthcare system. We are working to position pharmacists alongside physicians and nurses in public perception. IPFM, as a non-profit association, is committed to fostering a well-informed and high-standard healthcare ecosystem. We aim to serve not only pharmacists but also doctors, nurses, and professionals who contribute to health beyond the clinical setting.

Until recently, our profession lacked formal recognition. It was only in January 2020 that a presidential decree amended Art. 79 of the General Health Law to officially recognize pharmacists as healthcare professionals, second only to physicians. This was a significant breakthrough, as pharmacists are now required to hold a university degree and professional license.

Our focus now is to professionalize community and hospital pharmacy practices, particularly in local establishments. We aim to ensure proper monitoring of drug interactions, as patients often face reduced efficacy due to therapeutic inhibition or synergistic effects when combining medications.

NC: That change was critical. Before the reform, pharmacists could not request improved labor conditions or formal acknowledgment of their contributions. Many of us at IPFM were directly involved in legislative discussions and Senate hearings. After years of advocacy, the profession now has the legal foundation to grow and be respected.

Q: What caused this recognition to finally materialize after years of delay?
MG: Progress had been stalled for decades. The turning point came when a female pharmacist and congresswoman, Dr. Pastrana, championed the initiative. I also had an unexpected role. During an event in 2019, I made some candid comments that were recorded and later presented in Congress. That moment catalyzed political action and unlocked the gridlock that had held us back.

NC: Indeed, it often takes someone from within the profession to move the needle. Once a peer stepped into a legislative role, change followed. Recognition has transformed how we are treated. 

Q: Pharmacists are not commonly associated with clinical environments. Are we seeing a new wave of professionals entering the field?
NC: Yes. Enrollment in pharmaceutical sciences has grown significantly. Prestigious public universities like UNAM and IPN offer the program, as do private institutions such as UVM and Unitec. The pharmaceutical industry is also one of the most lucrative, after other sectors like automotive, which makes it attractive for students.

Q: What message would you like to share with industry leaders and the general public?
MG: We encourage the public to seek guidance from certified pharmacists. Just as every family knows a trusted doctor, they should also know a trusted pharmacist. In countries like Spain, medicine labels include the phrase, “Consult your doctor or pharmacist.” Medications should never be treated casually. Our goal is to educate people on these interactions, and we are developing accessible courses to expand this knowledge.

NC: The general population often overlooks the risks of self-medication. Alcohol, for instance, can cause toxic reactions when combined with common antibiotics like metronidazole. Severe conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome can also derive from improper medicine use.

Education is our greatest tool. Through our online broadcast, Desayunos con Aroma a, we engage workers across various industries, including Mexico City’s sanitation department, to raise awareness about proper medication use and disposal. We see ourselves as part of a broader ecosystem that protects public health.

The Mexican Institute of Pharma Professionals (IPFM) is a non-profit organization committed to informing and elevating standards across the entire health sector.