Expert seeks review of training for pharmacists

Dr Olubunmi Winter, the Executive Secretary of Kwara Health Insurance Agency (KWHIA), has called for the review of advanced clinical training for pharmacists in Nigeria.

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Winter made the appeal on Monday in Ilorin in her paper presentation at the commemoration of the World Pharmacists’ Day organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara Chapter.

The theme of the day is entitled: “Pharmacy Strengthening the Health Systems”.

She revealed that pharmacists would continue to play an important role in strengthening the healthcare system in the country.

According to her, pharmacists are the only healthcare professionals trained to excel in knowledge of drugs action and offering pharmaceutical care.

“Therefore, the government needs to ensure that pharmacists are fully incorporated, and involved in the provision of pharmaceuticals care services in the health system. This shifts the focus of the pharmacy profession from drug product to patient-centred care for better clinical outcomes,” she said.

She also advocated technologically driven solutions for some of the challenges confronting the profession in Nigeria.

The expert asserted that transcription and electronic transmission of prescription to the pharmacy will allow dispensing to be completed before the patient arrived at the pharmacy, given the pharmacists room for more clinical care.

“An enabling environment must be created for health workers that inculcates training and retraining to keep up with the rapidly changing pharmacy space.

“This includes new technology out spacing old ones, with new more effective and compliance oriented drugs entities being introduced into markets,” she said.

Also, Dr Abdulmalik Mohammed, the Kwara Chairman of PSN, enjoined pharmacists to be accountable in dispensing of drugs.

He explained that the pharmacists’ roles include Pharmacovigilance role in explaining to their patients what to expect from the drug.

Mohammed tasked pharmacists on the Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria (PCN)-Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme.

He explained that this is a re-certification programme developed by PCN for Pharmacists, aimed at keeping them abreast of current trends and developments in the pharmaceutical landscape as well as global best practices.

NAN/Wumi