Background: With current accelerated changes in the role of the pharmacists across different sectors, evidence-based developmental tools are needed to re-define the scope of practice for early career pharmacists (foundation level) and to support pharmacists' career development. This study aimed to develop a foundation competency framework for pharmacists in Kuwait using the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Global Competency Framework (GbCF) in an adopt and adapt approach.Methods: A 4-phase adopt and adapt approach was followed to develop the Kuwait Foundation Competency Framework (KFCF). Phase one involved translating the FIP GbCF, into Arabic using parallel translation. Phase two utilises 2 consensus panels validation involving pharmacists from public and private sectors. Phase three involved a national survey to all registered pharmacists in Kuwait. The final phase involved focus groups with pharmacists and a consensus panel validation with key policy and decision makers in the pharmacy practice and education sectors in Kuwait. Qualitative data were thematically analysed, while quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows. Results:The translation phase yielded a bilingual framework that could be utilised by pharmacists in Kuwait. The initial validation phase identified 70 behavioural statements (out of the GbCF's 100) as 'highly relevant' or 'relevant' to pharmacy practice in Kuwait. Findings from the national survey identified a list of behaviours that could be adapted in Kuwait context as well as competencies that were perceived as least relevant to Kuwait practice. The final validation phase generated a list of 98 behavioural statements to be included in the KFCF along with recommendations and an action plan to facilitate the adaptation of the framework. Conclusion:This study presents the first bilingual (Arabic/English) pharmacy foundation competency framework that builds on the FIP GbCF. The KFCF could be utilised as a developmental tool to support pharmacists' performance at foundation level.

To date, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has infected more than 5 million people and caused around 350 000 deaths globally. In most countries, the world as we knew it came to a sudden stop and this led to the biggest shift of employees to remotely conduct their work. Academic institutions were extensively affected, as teaching and assessment activities were hampered, and graduation ceremonies were cancelled. In addition, there was an imminent disruption in academic and research activities including face-to-face conferences and conventions. Among many challenges, academics had to grapple to remain engaged professionally and socially with students and colleagues. Digital technology being an integral part of life has become essential for connectivity and communication. In this commentary, multidisciplinary academics from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia share perspectives and experiences in adapting to the COVID-19 reality. From healthcare sciences to engineering, and from business to education, this paper highlights the role academics play in combating professional and social challenges during COVID-19.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to measure pharmacists' attitudes toward management of diabetes, identify current levels of pharmacy service provided to patients with diabetes, and identify barriers for further provision of diabetes-related services. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 198 pharmacists working in primary and secondary health care settings in one health region of Kuwait using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and comparative analysis were performed. Results: The response rate was 84.4% (n = 168). Respondents had overall positive attitudes toward management of diabetes. Pharmacists regularly provided their patients with counseling on the appropriate time to administer their medications; however, services related to hypoglycemia and management of comorbid diseases were rarely provided. A negative correlation was found between the positive overall diabetes-related attitudes and pharmacists' involvement in providing the following diabetes-related services: glucose monitoring (r = -0.25, p = 0.001), comorbid disease management (r = -0.243, p = 0.001), and healthy living choices (r = -0.237, p = 0.002). The perception that some physicians and patients have of pharmacists as dispensers only was identified as the most important barrier to providing diabetes-related services. Conclusion: Pharmacists have positive diabetes-related attitudes; however, they provide limited diabetes-related services to their patients. Barriers to provision of pharmacy services to patients with diabetes should be addressed to enable optimum patient care delivery.

Planning and development of the pharmaceutical workforce is fundamental for achieving universal health coverage and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has recognized the importance of constructing mechanisms for transforming the global workforce. FIP has launched a developmental roadmap in order to support and facilitate global, regional and national transformations of pharmaceutical education and the workforce. However, the limited existing literature on the pharmaceutical workforce in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) report persistent workforce challenges. This necessitates stronger engagement across all EMR countries to develop workable and sustainable strategic plans for workforce and educational development based on the 'adopt and adapt' approach to national transformation needs and the FIP roadmap. EMR countries have an opportunity to engage with FIP in collaborative programmes to implement the FIP roadmap locally, provide proof of concept and leadership model for other WHO regions.