Accra: Dr Francis Aboagye-Nyame, a fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), has urged both the government and private sector to redefine the role of pharmacists beyond the mere delivery and distribution of healthcare products. He emphasized that the pharmaceutical supply chain is integral to the healthcare delivery system in Ghana, without which even the strongest healthcare system would falter.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Aboagye-Nyame addressed these issues during the 2024 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the WAPCP, Ghana Chapter, held in Accra. The event focused on the theme: ‘Quality Pharmaceutical Commodities Supply Chain Management: The Role of the Specialist Pharmacist in Ghana.’ He highlighted that specialist pharmacists play diverse roles in healthcare, such as quality assurance, regulatory compliance, combating counterfeit drugs, and more. However, they are often relegated to just dispensing medications.
Dr Aboagye-Nyame pointed out that mor
e than 30 percent of the global population lacks access to essential medicines, as reported by the WHO. He cited tragic instances, like the deaths of children in Uzbekistan and Gambia due to contaminated cough syrups, to underline the critical nature of pharmacists’ work. He also mentioned statistics from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which reports thousands of deaths annually due to substandard antimalarial and antibiotic medicines.
Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, the Minister of Health, through a statement read by his Technical Advisor, Dr Darius Osei, stressed the importance of the pharmaceutical supply chain in providing essential services for life. He highlighted that any disruptions in the supply chain could lead to significant financial losses and impact the quality of life. He called on the Postgraduate College to work with regulators to ensure high-quality pharmaceutical products.
Dr Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt, Chairperson of WAPCP, Ghana Chapter, emphasized the importance of supply chain expert
ise in successful healthcare delivery. She stated that the College is dedicated to nurturing talent and skills in supply chain management to create global leaders in the field. Dr Samuel Kow Donkor, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, reiterated the need for proper recognition and placement of pharmacists by the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service to align with international standards. He advocated for collaboration with policymakers to highlight the significant value pharmacists bring to Ghana’s healthcare system.