Hospital pharmacists are vital actors in disaster preparedness and emergency healthcare delivery, especially during crises such as structural fires and wildfires. Such events frequently disrupt medical infrastructure, force evacuations, and significantly elevate the need for both acute and chronic disease management. In these challenging situations, hospital pharmacists ensure the uninterrupted provision of medications, oversee the availability of emergency pharmaceutical supplies, and provide critical support for treatment decisions under stressful and time-sensitive conditions (International Pharmaceutical Federation [FIP], 2016; American Society of Health-System Pharmacists [ASHP], 2013).

Smoke from wildfires consists of a complex blend of gases and fine particulate matter, notably contributing to particulate matter (PM), especially the fine particles known as PM2.5 (Liu and Peng, 2019). Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to more than 8.8 million premature deaths globally (Lelieveld et al., 2020). Wildfires typically lead to increased respiratory issues from smoke exposure, burn-related injuries, and the worsening of pre-existing chronic illnesses due to stress and treatment disruption.

Pharmacists respond by preparing and distributing key therapeutic agents such as bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, pain relievers, and other essential drugs. They also play an instrumental role in organizing emergency medication stockpiles, mitigating the impact of drug shortages, and working alongside multidisciplinary teams to prioritize and manage pharmaceutical interventions. For displaced individuals who lack access to their regular medications, hospital pharmacists adjust therapeutic regimens accordingly to prevent lapses in care.

The importance of this role was particularly evident during the widespread wildfires that occurred on July 4, 2025, in İzmir province, western Türkiye. Sparked by electrical failures and exacerbated by high temperatures and wind, the fires quickly spread through areas including Çeşme, Ödemiş, and Buca. Although firefighters succeeded in controlling some fires, others persisted, leading to the tragic loss of two lives and the evacuation of thousands. Approximately 200 homes sustained damage. This large-scale emergency highlighted the urgent requirement for coordinated pharmaceutical responses—especially in supplying medications to address respiratory ailments, manage chronic conditions, and provide mental health support for displaced individuals (Reuters, 2025).

Beyond immediate response, hospital pharmacists also participate actively in disaster planning at the institutional and national levels. Leading global organizations such as the FIP and ASHP advocate for the integration of pharmacists into emergency preparedness strategies, including simulation training, risk assessments, and the development of protocols to safeguard continuity in medication access and patient care (FIP, 2016; ASHP, 2013). The recent Turkish wildfire crisis demonstrates the necessity of translating these global guidelines into tailored action plans, ensuring that pharmacy departments are fully embedded within broader emergency response systems.

Following disaster events, pharmacists remain key contributors in the recovery phase. Their duties include reconciling medication lists, tracking potential long-term complications, and supporting public health outreach to prevent disease escalation and treatment gaps. This ongoing involvement strengthens the resilience of health systems, guaranteeing that affected populations continue to receive safe and timely pharmaceutical care throughout all phases of disaster response.

As a Palestinian pharmacist living in Istanbul, I see how the recent wildfire disaster in Türkiye highlights the importance of planning ahead and collaborating across different sectors. I hope this wildfire ends soon with as little damage as possible. The loss of lives, displaced families, and damaged homes show the need for stronger, more coordinated systems. I believe that pharmacists, emergency responders, healthcare workers, and policymakers should work together to improve preparedness and protect communities during crises. By sharing knowledge and cooperating as a team, we can help prevent similar disasters and enhance safety and health when emergencies occur.

References:

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. (2013). ASHP statement on the role of health-system pharmacists in emergency preparedness. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 70(4), 373–377. https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp120034

International Pharmaceutical Federation. (2016). Responding to disasters: Guidelines for pharmacy. The Hague: FIP. https://www.fip.org/file/1704

Lelieveld J, Pozzer A, Pöschl U, Fnais M, Haines A, Münzel T. (2020). Loss of life expectancy from air pollution compared to other risk factors: a worldwide perspective. Cardiovasc Res.,116(11):1910–7.

Liu, JC. and Peng, RD. (2019). The impact of wildfire smoke on compositions of fine particulate matter by ecoregion in the Western US. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol., 29(6):765–76.

Reuters. (2025, July 4). Firefighters report progress in taming Turkey wildfires. https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/firefighters-report-progress-taming-turkey-wildfires-2025-07-04/