The National Chairman of the Community Practice Pharmacists Association (CPPA), Dr. Emmanuel Kwaku Ireland has disclosed that, Pharmacists play a vital and critical role in the healthcare system of Ghana.
He pointed out that, the Community Pharmacy which is also described as retail pharmacy, is the most common type of pharmacy that ensures public access to their medications and offer advice about their health.
Dr. Kwaku Ireland made this known during the celebration of Community Practice Pharmacists Association (CPPA) Week held at standard height in Accra on the theme, “Community Pharmacist, Your Trusted Healthcare Partner”.
“Most of the community pharmacies have a commercial store with a combination of medicinal goods, only accessible with a prescription and those with that can be purchased Over-The- Counter (OTC)”.
According to Dr. Emmanuel Kwaku Ireland, to ensure quality pharmaceutical care delivery, plans are far in advanced with ADVANCEPHARMA who has developed
a unique technological platform to ensure that, deserving Pharmacists acquired their own pharmacies.
“The Vision of GPA is to establish a unified national network of Ghanaian Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Students who will make a powerful positive impact in Health-care in North America and in Ghana”.
The mission of CPPA Mr. Ireland stated, is to advocate for Ghanaian Pharmacists and Technicians, share knowledge, ideas and innovations, assist with career opportunities and project a good professional image, while working to strengthen the bond between Pharmacists in Ghana and North America.
He averred that in other to enhance capacity, Professional Pharmacy Services provide Pharmaceutical Care Services including Medication and Medical devices Dispensing Service, Minor Ailment Service, Medication Use Review with Follow-up Service, Compounding Service, Medication, Reconciliation Service, Smoking Cessation Service, Weight Management Service, Nutrition counseling for diabetic patients Family Planning services .
“Even though these Clinical Professional Pharmacy Services will be provided
for fee, there are a lot of other Community Health-related Services that will be provided for free”.
CPPA he mentioned, has endorsed the use of the Approved Label Printer which is a digital label printer – developed by two (2) young Ghanaian pharmacists (Hayford and Isaac) of Pharmatech Solutions Limited (PSL) to help prevent dispensing errors, promote patients’ safety and help solve drug prescription related problems in the pharmacy and I urge all to patronise it.
The President of Ghana Pharmaceutical Association (GPA), Dr. Samuel Donkoh revealed that, Pharmacists contribute tremendously to the economic development in terms of employment to the nation.
He said Community Pharmacy has given employment to many young people after completing school and urged the government and other stakeholders to invest more to expand the mission of Community Pharmacy in the country.
