As part of the celebrations, messages of effective and responsible medicinal use and the role of pharmacists in everyday life, were shared with the members of the public.

Led by the Western Regional chairperson of the society, Mrs. Yaa Pokua Baiden, the team of pharmacists in the four-day public engagement, visited the three churches [the Open Door Baptist Church at Anaji, the Kwesimintsim Highway branch of the International Central Gospel Church and the Salvation Army Church at Effiakuma] to interact with congregants on topics ranging from the consequences of irresponsible use of drugs as well as the proper use of traditional medicines alongside orthodox drugs.

Key among the discussed topics was the “unseen” critical role of pharmacists in healthcare delivery across the country.

“From the stage when drugs are just molecules to the quality control processes till it gets to the pharmacy, before it gets to the patient, the pharmacist plays an integral part of these processes. People should know that it is the pharmacist who ensures and focuses on effective and safe use of medicines. We want to encourage people to desist from just buying drugs from anywhere they get it. Drugs must be administered by a registered pharmacist, and that’s where the pharmacist comes in. We want to make sure that any drug that is given, is given at the right quantity for the right patient at the right time and at the right price” Mrs. Yaa Pokua Baiden explained.

The team, acting on this year’s World Pharmacist Day theme; “From Research to healthcare, your pharmacist is at your service, then took the responsible use of drugs campaign to some basic schools in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis.

Students at the Kwesimintsim M. A. JHS, Rev. Koba Yalley and the Nana Brempong Yaw JHS were educated on the implications of premarital sex, substance abuse, adolescent health, hygiene and the need to desist from self-medication.

“There is a thin line between a drug being beneficial to the user and being poisonous to them. It depends on who is using the drugs and for what purpose. Their mates who have abused drugs in time past have had to suffer the consequences. Self-medication is harmful and can lead to undesirable consequences. This is what we have been telling our youth”.

The team on Tuesday took to some principal streets of Takoradi to distribute flyers with inscriptions on safe drug use. It was followed by radio interviews to sensitize the public on the importance of pharmacists in our everyday lives.

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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“The most recent form, as being speculated in the media and as our findings have shown, is the high doses of Tramadol (200mg/250mg) popularly called Tramol among the youth.

“Even though Tramadol is an approved drug for the management of pain, the strengths approved for use in Ghana by the Food and Drugs Authority are the 50mg and 100mg strengths,” a statement signed by Benjamin K. Botwe, the President of the Society, and copied to the Ghana News Agencyon Thursday said.

It said the proliferation of the higher strength had become popular and called for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to rid the markets of the unregistered and unapproved products, which had the tendency to threaten the gains made in the provision of healthcare in the country.

“As a Society, we are aware of the rampant abuse of this high strength product, especially in the Sahel Region, and the challenges regulatory agencies throughout the ECOWAS region are facing with regards to the distribution and sale of the product.

“These efforts are being supported by international agencies including the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime.

“It has been noted in Ghana that this high dose of Tramadol is mostly found in highly populated and concentrated areas including markets and lorry stations in some parts of the country, “the statement said.

Tramadol is a prescription medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain. When taken, it works on the nervous system and the brain to reduce the feeling of pain.

There are many different forms, strengths and brands of Tramadol. Some are immediate release formulations that start working immediately to ease the pain, while others are sustained or delayed release thus releasing the active moiety, tramadol more slowly, over several hours, to provide a constant and more even pain control.

The perception of good feeling that led to the abuse and misuse could lead to long term consequences such as weakness, sleepiness, insomnia, panic attacks and other symptoms of opioid dependence, the statement said.

He said in some cases, overdose of Tramadol may lead to difficulty in breathing and even death.

“We call on abusers turned addicts to seek help, and the youth who take it for recreation because of its euphoric effect to stop, as the long-term implication could have dire consequences on their health,” the statement said.

“Tramadol should only be taken on a medical doctor’s prescription,” it said.

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Source: GNA

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The plan seeks to maintain high standards of patient-centred pharmacy practice, strengthen local manufacturing and supply chain management and equitable distribution of pharmacists across the regions and districts.

It would additionally prepare pharmacists and pharmacy graduates to meet emerging national pharmaceutical needs.

Mr. Kwaku Agyeman Manu, the Health Minister, launched the plan at this year’s annual conference of the Society, underway at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

It envisages that within the next decade, every healthcare facility would have a pharmacist dispensing prescription medication at all times and every pharmaceutical outlet properly regulated, in the interest of the patient.

Under the plan, steps would be taken to ensure that pharmacists in different areas of practice are well trained and resourced to efficiently perform and promote even distribution of pharmacies.

Marketing of pharmaceutical products would also be done by qualified professionals in ethical manner.

Besides, every patient attending hospital would be counseled by a pharmacist on how to take their medication.

The PSGH was founded in 1935 and it is the only professional body for pharmacists registered under the Professional Bodies Decree, 1973 (NRCD 143).

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Source: GNA

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Speaking on Eyewitness News, he said such a move would complete the value chain by awarding the printing of drug labels to local printing firms in the country as annually, about $100 million is spent on the importation of labels for medication.

This is after the Akufo-Addo administration announced the ban on the importation of 49 medicines which will now be produced by local pharmaceutical companies.

They include trisilicate, amoxicillin capsules, caffeine tablets, folic acid tablets,  cetirizine tablets,  oral rehydration salts, among others.

“If the pharmaceuticals, already they have a tax break on their raw materials that they import, and are getting a further boost, then we should complete the value chain. That is, to also ban the importation of labels because as we speak, the pharmaceuticals in a year, import not less than $100 million worth of labels and other materials for packaging purposes.”

“Now our local printing firms have the capacity to print these labels. Graphic, for example, I am sure has the state of the art machinery and technology to do some of this printing on large scale. For the Daily Guide, if you go to their place they have the state of the art machinery. I am sure many other companies that are in the printing industry have what it takes to take on board the printing of the labels.”

Mr. Afenyo-Markin added that the argument that printing outside would be cheaper for the local companies was misplaced because “they are now enjoying some incentives.”

“If we want the local printing companies to enjoy the much needed economies of scale, we need to give them the opportunity to do so. They can then, by increasing capacity, do so at the lesser cost, create employment opportunities then the value chain would be complete,” he said.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The PSGH is the umbrella body of all professional pharmacists in Ghana and Ghanaian pharmacists abroad.

“The results reflect a firm conviction of Ghanaians in the leadership, the vision and the message you promised to offer. It is heart-warming to know that you have repeatedly assured Ghanaians since your victory that you will not fail them,” Thomas Boateng Appiagyei, President PSGH, said in a statement.

“The PSGH assures you and the NPP of its willingness to support and work with your government to drive the agenda for pharmaceutical revolution that will provide jobs, good health and economic prosperity to the people of Ghana,” the statement added.

The statement expressed the hope of government’s increased interventions to strengthen the local industry and a swift resolution of all issues between Government and the Pharmacists in the Public sector.

“The PSGH wishes the President-elect, his team, the in-coming Parliament, the very best in all their endeavours as they steer the affairs of our dear nation towards growth, development and prosperity,” it said.

The statement commended President John Dramani Mahama on his gracious concession of defeat, the Electoral Commission and its officials for a yeoman’s job in executing the election, the security agencies for maintaining the peace, local and international observers, the media and generally all Ghanaians for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves before, during and after the elections.

“We have, collectively re-enforced the belief that there is no limit to what Ghanaians and Africans can do and achieve, that our 4th Republican Constitution has come to stay and remains a model for the sub -region and the continent as a whole,” the statement added.

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Source: GNA

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