At its Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, the Ghana College of Pharmacists welcomed seven additional members, increasing its total membership to 41.
The Specialist Health Training and Plant Medicine Research Act, Act 833 of 2011, established the college and gave it the authority to, among other things, advance specialist training in pharmacy and related fields, advance research in pharmaceutical practise and related fields, and aid in the development of public health policies.
The two-day conference, which is being hosted in conjunction with its 10th anniversary, will focus on "improving access to high-quality healthcare services through specialised pharmacist training."
In an address delivered on his behalf yesterday at the conference's inauguration in Accra, the minister of health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, emphasised the vital role that specialised pharmacists play in providing high-quality healthcare services and universal health coverage.
According to him, specialty pharmacists offer distinct skill sets that are necessary in all facets of healthcare delivery.
"The medications that are utilised to treat illnesses must be effective and able to deliver the desired outcomes. Additionally, the prescriber has to have current knowledge of the medications being recommended.
A specialised pharmacist has more professional and practical exposure and is able to advise both prescribers and users on how to use medications safely, even if every pharmacist has the necessary training to give assistance and some pharmaceutical services.
According to Mr. Agyeman-Manu, specialised pharmacists also offer advice to policymakers and public health professionals to help them put the proper structures in place and manage and use all medications, including vaccinations, in a way that will produce the results they are intended to.
a. human right
Dr. Mrs. Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt, the day's keynote speaker and a health policy analyst at the Ministry of Health, stated that the World Health Organization's constitution recognises access to healthcare as a fundamental human right (WHO).
Access, according to the astute pharmacist, is another crucial component of a successful healthcare system.
Attending members of the College
"According to the WHO, more than 50% of the world's population lacks access to the high-quality medical care they require. The organisation also emphasises the necessity for qualified healthcare professionals in order to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care and ultimately achieve universal health coverage "She said.
Dr. Gyansa-Lutterodt stated that this type of care was deeply ingrained in the communities that pharmacists served, emphasising not just the treatment of illnesses but also their prevention and promotion in order to enhance overall quality of life.
According to her, Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls for the health of all people, regardless of age (SDG 3).
a pharmacist's role
She claimed that pharmacists and the services they provide were crucial in the area of access to high-quality medical care.
"Pharmacies and pharmacists in hospitals and communities continue to be patients' first and frequently last stops for treatment and guidance on medications and their proper use in society."
She said that neighbourhood pharmacies provided locals with access to pharmaceutical treatment and were among the most approachable medical professionals worldwide.
She said that when community pharmacists were actively involved in the care team and shared responsibilities, research had demonstrated significant improvements in the treatment and outcomes of non-communicable illnesses.
According to Dr. Gyansa-Lutterodt, specialised pharmacists in the community offered referral services as well as administration of pharmaceutical therapy, including drug and therapy monitoring.