The 2026 FIP global award winners announced

MONTREAL — Operation STORM, a project by FIP Member Organisation the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) designed to disrupt the escalating crisis of substance and opioid abuse among teenagers, was awarded the Health Promotion Campaign Award this weekend at the opening ceremony of the 84th World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, in Montreal, Canada.

Substance and opioid misuse have emerged as a major public health concern in many countries, with much of its impact falling on young people through respiratory depression, poor academic performance, and long-term social and economic instability, as well as wider effects on families, schools and health systems.

Focusing on prevention and early intervention, the campaign has, over the past two years, visited more than 17 high schools across the country with structured educational interventions, run large-scale seminars and interactive sessions on the health, psychological and social consequences of misuse, provided one to one mentoring for students identified as vulnerable, facilitated professional referral pathways for those needing psychological, addiction or medical support, and delivered four dedicated televised episodes across five national television stations.

Throughout, pharmacists across the country served as educators, mentors, counsellors and public health advocates, expanding the scope of pharmaceutical practice into preventive public health.

“This award is a profound honour for the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and, more importantly, a validation of a simple conviction we have long held that pharmacists belong on the front line of public health, not just behind the counter or at the ward. Operation STORM was born out of urgency. Our teenagers are facing a substance and opioid crisis that classrooms alone cannot solve, and pharmacists across Ghana have stepped forward as educators, mentors, and advocates to meet that urgency. This recognition from FIP tells every pharmacist who gave their time to a school seminar or a one-on-one mentoring session that their work matters on the world stage. We remain committed to expanding this model of preventive, community-rooted pharmaceutical care, and we thank FIP for shining a light on what is possible when the profession chooses to lead,” said Dr Paul Owusu Donkor, president of PSGH.

Joseph A. Oddis Award for Exceptional Service to FIP presented to Lars-Åke Söderlund
Mr Lars-Åke Söderlund from Sweden was presented with the FIP Joseph A. Oddis Award for Exceptional Service to FIP, recognising the unwavering commitment he has shown the federation since becoming a member in 1984.

Mr Söderlund has served as vice president of FIP, president of the Community Pharmacy Section, and member of the Board of Pharmacy Practice, playing a central leadership role in initiatives that strengthen FIP’s unity, visibility and influence. As co-chair of the FIP Congress Programme Committee, he has helped keep the FIP world congress intellectually rich and globally inclusive, and as co-chair of the FIP Technology Advisory Group, he has expanded the federation’s engagement with emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he contributed to FIP’s expert advisory group on COVID-19, and he has been a member of the FIP Data and Intelligence Commission for several years. Across more than 40 years, he has consistently brought members together under the principle of “One FIP”, creating synergy across sectors and geographies.

“This recognition means a great deal to me, not only because of the significance of the award itself, but because of what it represents: a lifelong commitment to advancing pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences, and to serving a global professional community that I deeply value. Throughout my career and my involvement with FIP, I have always felt that I am part of a collective effort. Any contributions I may have made are the result of collaboration, shared purpose, and the constant support of many inspiring colleagues around the world," said Mr Söderlund.

Sixteen other pharmacy professionals recognised for excellence

The FIP 2026 award ceremony, held at the opening of the 84th World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Montreal, Canada, saw 16 other pharmacy professionals from nine countries receive global awards as follows:

Early Career in Pharmaceutical Sciences Recognition Award