Introduction: Lebanon is facing challenges affecting the whole health sector, including access to medications. Lebanon has only proposed very few short-term national pharmaceutical strategic solutions. Previous reform attempts targeting the pharmaceutical sector, could not protect it from the crises and their detrimental consequences on patient and population health. Purpose: This document unveils the critical elements that should be addressed in the planned National Pharmaceutical Sector Strategy (NPS) being developed by the Order of Pharmacists of Lebanon (OPL) in consultation with the concerned stakeholders. Method: Strategic goals were proposed for adoption and implementation by the competent authorities based on consultations, situational assessments, and gap analyses. The objectives and an implementation plan were developed based on the available resources and policy dialogue, respectively. Conclusion: The National Pharmaceutical Strategy would help the Lebanese authorities/policy-makers, aided by competent healthcare professionals, develop and implement a time-bound roadmap to attain a nation with access to quality and safe medications for the whole population. Implementing this strategy would require the commitment of decision-makers, the accountability of involved parties, innovation in finding solutions, close collaboration between stakeholders, and lengthy efforts to attain the stated vision.

Background Pharmacists are at the core of the healthcare system and are the most accessible healthcare professionals. Their new roles involve leadership skills, among others. Work satisfaction of pharmacists might affect the quality of the services they provide. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the management/leadership skills and work satisfaction of pharmacists and working pharmacy students. The secondary objective was to establish the relationship between management/leadership competencies and work satisfaction. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 415 Lebanese pharmacists and fifth-year pharmacy students (undergraduates) working in different pharmacy sectors across Lebanon from August 2021 through October 2021 using the snowball sampling technique and validated tools to assess management/leadership competencies and work satisfaction. Results Management/leadership competencies were significantly correlated with work satisfaction (B = 0.288) and inversely associated with being engaged/married (B = − 2.825) and living outside Beirut or Mount Lebanon (B = − 1.873). Pharmacy students did not significantly differ in their leadership/management level from graduate pharmacists. Work satisfaction was significantly associated with management/leadership competencies (B = 0.062) and inversely related to education level (B = − 0.644). Conclusions Pharmacists’ work satisfaction and management/leadership competencies are interrelated, although the level of satisfaction seemed lower than the declared level of competencies. These concepts are differentially affected by personal and work-related characteristics. More efforts should be exerted to improve both the satisfaction and management/leadership competencies of pharmacists in Lebanon.