The Universitat de València and the Valencian Pharmacists Association (MICOF) have established the Chair for the Rational Use of Medicines (URM) in order to promote research, study and scientific work in the field of medication review and optimisation of patients’ pharmacotherapy. In addition, the Chair will study the trends and risks associated with drug consumption and will identify potential opportunities for improvement following a detailed review of the patient’s pharmacotherapeutic history.

The Chair will engage in training, cultural, research and university extension activities in order to foster continuous learning and knowledge dissemination on all matters related to drugs and their appropriate use.

Pharmacists are fundamental in the promotion of patient health and well-being since they act as health educators in addition to dispensing medicines. As medication experts, they can offer a wide range of educational services aimed at enhancing patients’ understanding of their health and the treatments they are receiving.

According to the World Health Organization, rational use of medicines requires that ‘patients receive medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their own individual requirements, for an adequate period of time, and at the lowest cost to them and their community’ (WHO, 1985).

The inadequate use of medicines can result in a loss of efficacy, adverse effects, more serious adverse reactions than expected and increased costs for patients and the healthcare system. In order to achieve rational use of medicines, it is necessary to consider a number of factors, including the selection of the appropriate medicine, the correct dosage, the adequate duration of the treatment and the correct administration of the medicine. Rational use of medicines is an essential strategy to ensure that patients receive the full benefits of their medication while minimising the risks of side effects and adverse reactions.

Accordingly, the primary objective of the MICOF–UV Chair for the Rational Use of Medicines is to facilitate joint efforts to promote research, training and the dissemination of knowledge pertaining to the rational use of medicines. In this regard, it is crucial that both health professionals and patients collaborate to achieve a rational use of medicines and enhance people’s health.