The College of Pharmacy at the University of Human Development (UHD) marked World Pharmacists Day with a scientific panel and student activities on 27 September 2026.

The panel took place at the Professor Dr Ali Qaradaghi Hall and was attended by a large number of students. Under the title ‘Promoting Rational Medicine Use: Addressing Drug Abuse, Antibiotic Misuse, and Antimicrobial Resistance,’ lecturers from the department and guest speakers addressed several critical issues. Panellists highlighted the importance of using medicines rationally and discussed key challenges related to substance abuse, inappropriate antibiotic use, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The speakers included Dr Shkar Mariwan (MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry), Dr Mouhammed Jamal (MSc in Community Pharmacy), and Assistant Professor Dr Mahmood Nadr Darwesh (PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry).

The discussion explored the health consequences of inappropriate medicine use, common patterns and causes of drug and antibiotic misuse, and the growing global threat of AMR. Particular attention was given to the role of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in patient education, appropriate dispensing, antibiotic stewardship, preventing medication abuse, and raising public awareness.

Outside the hall, students from the Pharmacy and other health departments at UHD hosted several activities aimed at raising awareness about major health issues, including the improper use of medications and drug quality in Kurdistan. Students also offered free medical checks—such as blood sugar, diabetes, and blood pressure tests—alongside educational games.