Minister calls for optimum medication therapy for all

Mr Alex Segbefia, the Minister of Health on Wednesday asked pharmacists to provide optimum medication therapy for all Ghanaians, as the government works out modalities to improve on their condition of service.

He said patients' safety is key, and non-negotiable in any formal healthcare system, hence the need for pharmacists care.

The Health Minister made the request at the opening session of the 2016 Annual General Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), underway in Sunyani.

It is on the theme: "Pharmacy practice-improving patient safety outcomes."

Mr Segbefia said as the ministry works to ensure that quality healthcare is accessible and affordable for every Ghanaian, patient safety is critical foundation upon, which quality healthcare is built and pharmacists must ensure that.

He observed that stakeholders have a role to play to facilitate quality healthcare delivery and pharmacists have highest potential to prevent needless deaths at various health facilities.

Mr Segbefia gave the assurance that government would resource and strengthen the pharmacy council and the Food and Drug Authority to position them in a better place for quality service delivery.

Mr Thomas Boateng Appiagyei, the President of the PSGH, noted that challenges in the single spine salary structure and condition of service of pharmacists in the government hospitals remain a "huge blot on our collective welfare as a profession".

"Motivation is now low, confidence is being eroded and the countless adjournments and confusion is grave danger for industrial harmony, patients care and pharmaceutical care in our hospitals," he added.

Mr Appiagyei expressed regret about the increasing cases of administrative injustice and penal measures against some colleagues in some public health institutions.

He said the society acknowledges efforts by the government at re-examining the National Health Insurance Scheme for sustainability, equity, accountability and efficiency.

According to him, the scheme represents a huge relief for the majority of Ghanaians and everybody must support the government and the National Health Insurance Authority to ensure the scheme's continous survival and sustainability.