September 25 — World Pharmacist's Day: history, traditions, how to congratulate

Every year, on September 25, a professional holiday is celebrated by pharmacists, specialists whose work is directly related to the preservation and maintenance of human health. In 2025, the date falls on Thursday. How the profession has developed in Russia and the world, who is congratulated on this day, and how, read the Izvestia article.

World Pharmacist's Day - 2025: the history of the holiday

World Pharmacist's Day was established in 2009 at the Congress of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), an international organization that protects the interests of industry workers. The date was chosen in honor of the founding of FIP itself — September 25, 1912.

Since 2010, the holiday has been celebrated in the countries of the federation. Today, it unites more than 3 million pharmacists worldwide, including in Russia.

It is noteworthy that in our country pharmacists celebrate a professional holiday twice a year. In addition to the international date of September 25, on May 19 they celebrate the national Pharmaceutical Worker's Day, established in 2021 by decree of the Government of the Russian Federation.

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The date was chosen in memory of the opening of the first state pharmacy in Russia in 1581 by decree of Ivan IV the Terrible. The initiative to establish the holiday was discussed back in 2014, but it was officially approved only seven years later.

The history of the pharmacist profession in Russia

The profession of a pharmacist goes back to ancient times. Even the ancient civilizations of the Sumerians, Egyptians and Greeks had the first systematic knowledge about medicinal substances and how to use them. At that time, the therapy was based on natural ingredients, whose properties were determined by trial and error. Over time, the use of medicinal plants, minerals, infusions and ointments became the basis of practical medicine, and the processing and storage of drugs became a separate specialization.

The very word "pharmacy" is of ancient Greek origin. It is first found in the writings of Hippocrates as a designation for the storage of medicines. Later, this word began to be understood as a room where drugs are not only stored, but also prepared. The first pharmacy, according to historical data, was opened in Baghdad in 754. They sold medicines and spices imported from Asia and Africa.

In Russia, the pharmacy business began to develop centrally. The first state pharmacy appeared at the court of Ivan IV at the end of the 16th century, but it was intended exclusively for the needs of the nobility. In 1672, a similar institution for citizens appeared in Moscow, and a wide pharmacy network began to form later, with the establishment of the Pharmacy Order in the 17th century, a body that controlled medical and pharmaceutical services at the state level.

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By the beginning of the 18th century, during the era of Peter the Great's reforms, the active development of private pharmacies began, rules for the production and sale of drugs were introduced, quality control and storage conditions appeared. During the same period, state pharmaceutical institutions began to appear, pharmacists received the status of qualified specialists, and the licensing system became official.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, specialized educational institutions were opened in Russia, pharmacopoeias were created, and the scientific base of the industry was being formed. Pharmacists and pharmacists became representatives of the educated stratum, and pharmacies themselves turned from ordinary retail outlets into full-fledged medical care centers where patients could receive not only drugs, but also recommendations.

Modern pharmaceuticals is a synthesis of traditions and high technologies, an industry based on deep scientific knowledge, strict standards and international practices. The profession has gone from being a craftsman to a key component of the healthcare system.

Traditions of celebrating World Pharmacist's Day

Every year, the International Pharmaceutical Federation determines the theme of the holiday. In 2024, it was held under the motto: "Pharmacists: Meeting the needs of global healthcare." In 2025, it sounds like this: "To really think about health, you need to think like a pharmacist."

In addition, since 2020, the World Pharmacy Week has been held in a number of countries, which organizes forums, educational events for citizens, scientific symposiums, presentations of new developments and other educational events.

In Russia, on this day, companies award the best specialists, professional seminars, open lectures, flash mobs and exhibitions are held. Pharmacy chains organize promotions for visitors, and many institutions organize "open days."

Congratulations on World Pharmacist's Day in 2025

On World Pharmacist's Day, words of gratitude are addressed to people associated with the pharmaceutical industry — pharmacy staff, laboratory specialists, pharmacists, researchers, teachers of specialized disciplines and students who chose this path. Each of them is part of a complex system where accuracy, knowledge and attention to a person determine the result. Izvestia has prepared several examples of how this can be done.

"Congratulations on World Pharmacist's Day! May your professional intuition and precision always lead to the right choice — in work and in life. Thank you for your contribution to the health of society!"

"Happy professional day to you, World Pharmacist's Day! We wish that every day starts with grateful smiles from customers, and ends with a sense of accomplishment and recognition from colleagues!"

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"Congratulations on World Pharmacist's Day! You stand guard over the health of citizens. May life reciprocate your feelings — it heals you from fatigue, supports you from overloads, and inspires you!"

"Happy holidays to you, dear pharmacists! Your work is not just a profession, but a real science with a human face. May all the medicines that you prepare and sell come back to you in the form of kind words and warm relationships!"

"Congratulations on your professional holiday! Being a pharmacist means helping people. As conductors of health, you work with invisible processes to make life sound harmonious. May your advice always be accurate, and may the patients be grateful!"

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the traditions of celebrating Hairdresser's Day in Russia.