Having a 25-year long volunteering activity, “World Pharmacists” is a non-profit organisation aiming at the collection, purchase and free distribution of medical supplies to institutions, agencies and medical facilities in Greece and abroad, the mapping and analysis of various health needs of local communities, as well as the implementation of educational and informational activities on health-related and environmental issues. As part of its activities, the organisation provides medical supplies to social pharmacies, shelter and care facilities for financially deprived individuals, the homeless and refugees, warzones and countries severely affected by disasters.

In 2020 World Pharmacists implemented a health shield programme for remote or border areas in Greece, in collaboration with the local municipal authorities and the competent medical bodies, using a grant from the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation. Starting from Naxos, the organisation went on to provide medical and sanitary first aid supplies, along with personal protective equipment against the coronavirus disease in the Small Cyclades (Irakleia, Donoussa, Schinoussa, Koufonisia) and other remote or border-area islands of Greece, such as Leipsoi, Agathonisi, Fournoi, Arkioi, Kastellorizo, Farmakonisi and Agios Efstratios. Through the programme, the local island facilities were provided with the necessary sanitary equipment (e.g. cardiograph, oximeter, blood centrifuge, liquid oxygen cylinders, blood pressure monitors, infrared thermometers, first aid supplies) in order to improve primary care services provided to the island residents.

• 21,910 packages of medical supplies were delivered to institutions and health facilities in 2020.
• World Pharmacists have carried out 86 missions to 36 countries, offering more than 100,000 packages of medicines.

“The protection net that we have created with the support of the Latsis Foundation for the residents of these small and difficult to access islands is not temporary. Our message to the residents is that ‘World Pharmacists’ is not merely implementing a health shield campaign but has instead ‘adopted’ their islands and will always be by their side. This is the reasoning behind our actions.”

Theodora Manolakou

Pharmacist/President of the Board of Directors, World Pharmacists

“World Pharmacists express their appreciation and gratitude to the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation which, through its grant, contributed to the excellent organisation and implementation of a health support programme for island facilities. This combined humanitarian action has resulted in the relief of the immediate needs of the Small Cyclades and other border-area islands of the Aegean, substantially improving the medical support capacity of many remote facilities.”

Spyridon Seremidis

Pharmacist/Founding President, World Pharmacists