President of the Turkish Pharmacists’ Association Visits Bilecik University

Details of the Pharmacy Officials' Visit to the University Today, July 13, 2026, Mehmet İrfan Demirci, President of the Turkish Pharmacists’ Association (TEB), along with Mustafa Çelik, President of the 9th Region Eskişehir Chamber of Pharmacists, visited Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University (BŞEÜ) to meet and discuss with Prof. Dr. Zafer Asım Kaplancıklı, the university's Rector [1]. This visit, held in a friendly atmosphere, is part of the association's strategic programs to monitor the quality of pharmacy education nationwide. ## Main Axes of Discussion and Bilateral Cooperation During the meeting, both parties emphasized the need to adapt pharmacy faculty curricula to the changing needs of the labor market and global scientific advancements. Rector Kaplancıklı expressed his satisfaction with the visit and highlighted the importance of joint research projects and the university's role in training committed specialists [2]. Topics such as student internships, updating laboratory infrastructure, and the use of modern technologies in pharmacy were other key points of this conversation. ## Challenges of Admission Capacity and Educational Quality This visit comes as the Turkish Pharmacists’ Association has recently launched extensive activities to manage the number of graduates. Earlier in July, Demirci met with officials from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), requesting a reduction in the admission capacity of pharmacy faculties and preventing the opening of new faculties without sufficient infrastructure [3]. Professional officials believe that maintaining educational quality and strengthening specialized academic staff is the top priority for the future of the profession. ## Future Outlook of the Pharmacy Profession in Turkey Given the recent graduation ceremonies at various universities, including Başkent University, the active presence of TEB representatives in academic environments demonstrates the profession's serious determination to support the new generation of pharmacists. These visits not only help resolve current issues but also provide a platform for defining new standards in providing health-oriented services to society [1]. At the end of the meeting, commemorative gifts were exchanged, and both parties agreed on the continuation of this constructive cooperation.