We need more pharmacists to support healthcare delivery
Pharmacists play a vital role in healthcare systems all over the world.
They can be described as the unsung heroes of the country’s healthcare system because they are often the first point of contact for patients in communities where there is no access to medical facilities, particularly in rural areas where access to doctors is limited.
From dispensing medication to providing healthcare advice and support, pharmacists deserve to be celebrated, and as such the Daily Graphic commends pharmacists across the country for the crucial role they are playing in improving global health. We believe that society must show more appreciation to the pharmacy profession.
With more than 5,000 registered community pharmacies across the country, pharmacists are well-positioned to provide primary healthcare services, including ensuring patients take their medications correctly and safely, providing basic health checks, such as blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring, administering vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases as well as educating patients on healthy lifestyle choices and disease prevention.
The public generally holds positive views about community pharmacists and pharmacists in general, with high satisfaction rates as studies show that 62.5 per cent of people are satisfied with the roles of pharmacists and 64.8 per cent with pharmacy services.
Studies have shown that many people visit community pharmacies regularly, with 26 per cent visiting at least once a week and 65 per cent at least once a month.
Over the years, pharmacists have earned the confidence of the public through consistent provision of healthcare and public education.
Since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak, pharmacists have been working on the frontlines of health care every day, providing essential health care services in various settings in an effort to prevent, manage, and contain the disease.
Community pharmacists worldwide have provided uninterrupted support to the healthcare system by complementing the care provided by hospitals, delivering medications to patients, educating patients on telehealth services, assessing patients for renewal of chronic medications, performing consultations on minor ailments, clarifying misconceptions about COVID-19 treatments, and contributing to COVID-19 screening.
Despite their importance, pharmacists across the country face several challenges such as significant shortage of pharmacists, with a pharmacist-to-population ratio of 1:8,500, far below the World Health Organisation's recommended minimum of 1:2,000.
Also, more than 1,600 qualified pharmacists are awaiting employment, with some house officers waiting over nine months for postings.
Therefore, the Daily Graphic adds its voice to that of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) and urges government to take action to address these challenges.
This includes developing a formal framework to integrate community pharmacies into the national primary healthcare system.
According to the PSGH there are over 5,000 registered community pharmacies across the country, serving both urban centres and remote communities, and therefore there is the need to develop and implement a formal framework that would make these pharmacies an integral part of the primary healthcare system
Additionally, there is the need to recruit over 1,600 qualified pharmacists awaiting employment and resolving delays in financial clearance for pharmacy house officers.
The country relies heavily on imported medicines, with local production accounting for only about 30 per cent of the market.
The call by PSGH for government to leverage the 24-hour economy policy to stimulate local production, reduce import dependency, and create sustainable jobs for the youth could not have come at a better time.
As we work together, we can strengthen pharmacy services in the country and improve the health and well-being of the population
