General News of Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Source: GNA

Pharmaceutical Society condemns uncivil acts by some health sector managers

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has condemned the uncivil acts by certain health sector managers in Korle Bu, Tamale Teaching Hospital and other hospitals where some officials broke into pharmacies to take medications without recourse to laid down procedures.

In a statement signed by its President James Ohemeng Kyei on Monday, the PSGH said such lawlessness and show of bravado and macho should not be encouraged in a growing and civil democracy like Ghana.

“The so-called quest to save lives cannot be done in flagrant disregard to law and order and the persons concerned ought to have known better,” the statement said.

The PSGH expressed believe that Ghanaians deserve the highest standards in the practice and delivery of pharmaceutical care and therefore called on the Pharmacy Council to as a matter of urgency ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Pharmacy Act, Act 489 of 1994 to safeguard safety and health.

The PSGH called on the members of the Government and Hospital Pharmacy Practice Group (GHOSPA) in response to a call by the Minister of Health to make arrangements for emergency and impatient services to avert any unfortunate loss of lives.

The PSGH further called on government and its stakeholder agencies to as a matter of extreme urgency address the outstanding issues for immediate migration of public sector pharmacists unto the Single-Spine-Salary Structure (SSSS) since the initial migration in November 2011 had been reversed by the National Labor Commission and accepted by all parties as anomalous.

“The PSGH believes a swift response would avert any unfortunate national crisis at this time as we prepare for a general election,” the statement said stressing that the issues be resolved in time to avert the possibility of solidarity action by other pharmaceutical practice and interest groups since that might have dire consequences.