Pharmacy Council inducts 708 new pharmacists
The Pharmacy Council, Ghana has inducted 708 newly qualified and registered pharmacists into the profession, charging them to uphold the highest standards of ethics, professionalism and patient-centred care in the discharge of their duties.
The inductee pharmacists had undergone several years of academic training, practical experience and examinations to earn the right to practise as pharmacists.
Speaking at the induction ceremony in Accra last Friday, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council, Dr Michael Kudebong, urged the newly inducted professionals to build their careers on lifelong learning, integrity, service to humanity and national responsibility.
Speaking on the theme, “Ensuring Quality Pharmaceutical Care: The Ethical Role of Pharmacists in Primary Health Care”, he encouraged them to continually update their knowledge and skills to keep pace with emerging medicines, technologies, diseases and evolving healthcare systems.
The Registrar also cautioned them against engaging in fraudulent practices or allowing their licences to be used to cover illegal activities.
Professionalism
A retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice William Atuguba, who was the keynote speaker, urged the newly inducted pharmacists to uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity and professionalism throughout their careers.
He cautioned them against dishonesty, conflict of interest and conduct that could undermine public confidence in the profession, stressing that pharmacists occupied a privileged position in society because they could not operate without their professional supervision.
Justice Atuguba, who is also the Chairman, Council of the University of Cape Coast, warned that pharmacists who violated ethical principles or breached provisions of the law could face disciplinary action from the Pharmacy Council, including investigations, prosecution and the withdrawal of their licences to practise.
He also called on pharmacists to contribute to the advancement of healthcare by supporting research into herbal medicine.
The newly registered pharmacists. Picture: BENEDICT OBUOBI
Justice Atuguba said greater investment in research and local pharmaceutical development could help reduce dependence on imported medicines while ensuring the safety and effectiveness of treatments available to the public.
The keynote speaker further expressed concern about growing social challenges among young people, particularly substance abuse and unhealthy lifestyle trends, and urged pharmacists to play a proactive role in public education and the promotion of responsible health behaviours.
He advised the newly inducted professionals to treat all patients with dignity, fairness and respect regardless of their social status or financial background.
Commitment
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said pharmacists were no longer merely suppliers of medicines, but health professionals responsible for ensuring medicine safety, providing counselling, supporting chronic disease management and protecting patients from medication-related harm.
He, however, directed the Pharmacy Council to ensure that all facilities providing pharmaceutical services operated within the law and adhered to professional standards.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to developing the pharmaceutical sector through collaboration with the Pharmacy Council, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, academia and industry players.
Serve society
The Chairperson of the Governing Board of the Pharmacy Council, Ghana, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, congratulated the newly inducted pharmacists and assured them of the council’s commitment to supporting pharmacists to practise professionally and use their licences to serve society responsibly.
