In order to support the standards of legitimate pharmaceutical practice, the Pharmacy Council said it would implement strict measures to deal with illicit pharmacy service providers and practitioners.
The Pharmacy Council’s acting registrar, Dr. Daniel Amaning Danquah, announced that the Council will raid unauthorized establishments, vendors, and anyone who rendered services beyond the parameters of their licenses.
He claimed that the action would help improve public health and safety among the populace by bringing sanity to the pharmaceutical business. It would be carried out with assistance from the Ghana Police Service, the Food and Drugs Authority, and other security personnel.
When he encountered pharmacists, pharmacy owners, and practitioners of over-the-counter medicine in the Western Region, he made these statements.
As the acting Registrar of the Council, he was meeting important players in the pharmaceutical business in the region to get to know them and introduce himself. The meeting took place in Takoradi.
Additionally, it gave him the chance to approach relevant parties for assistance in bringing the National Electronic Pharmacy (e-pharmacy) platform which aims to improve client service delivery to a successful launch.
“It is imperative that the practice standards be upheld, as many of the present issues stem from the lack of enforcement of standards,” stated Dr. Danquah. “This is something that I personally care deeply about.”
He mentioned that reports from the Council’s monitoring and inspection had shown that some individuals had operated without a license and that others had given pharmaceutical services that went beyond the parameters of their licenses.
“If you are not licensed to perform a particular role, the recipient of that service is not guaranteed any safety and health care outcome,” stated the Registrar of the Ag. Pharmacy Council, adding that such actions pose a threat to public health and safety.
Dr. Danquah stated that the Council would take action against those discovered to be conducting business unlawfully, including canceling the licenses of those offering services outside of their permitted scope of practice.
In order to improve service delivery, he consequently made a plea to pharmacy professionals to assist the Council in its efforts to restore rationality to the pharmaceutical industry.
Richard Asante, the Pharmacy Council’s Western Regional Manager, thanked the Ag. Pharmacy Council Registrar for the visit and stated that the interaction confirmed the Council’s commitment to maintaining acceptable practice standards.
Speaking with the Ghana News Agency, a few attendees characterized the conference as appropriate and stated that it would assist them in adhering to all operating regulations.
