Quality, not numbers, must define pharmacy education — Otumfuo

Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has cautioned the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana against sacrificing professional standards in the pursuit of expanding the profession, insisting that quality must remain the hallmark of pharmacy education and practice.

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at an event held at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana on Sunday June 28, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II stressed that the future of pharmacy in Ghana would be determined not by numbers, but by the quality of professionals trained.

Addressing pharmacists across the country, Otumfuo urged them to continually demonstrate their relevance within Ghana’s healthcare system by focusing on patient-centred care.

The gathering at the Manhyia Palace brought together members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana affording them the opportunity to trace the origins of Pharmacy Education in Ghana to the present day and make some recommendations for the future.

He further called on government to prioritise the development and deployment of pharmacists as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system.

”I will state this plainly, no health system can function effectively without a strong, well trained and properly utilized pharmaceutical workforce. Investments in healthcare must include deliberate attention to the development and deployment of pharmacists across all levels of care. I expect that we will move forward and clarify discipline and purpose,” he stated.