By Stanley Senya
Accra, April 13, GNA – The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has held its Pharma Excellence Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements and contributions within the country’s pharmaceutical and healthcare delivery sectors.
The ceremony, held in Accra, brought together a cross-section of industry leaders, health professionals, corporate entities, and government officials.
The event spotlighted excellence in pharmaceutical practice, manufacturing, research, regulatory compliance, entrepreneurship, and patient care.
In total, 23 awards were presented to deserving individuals and organisations who have demonstrated excellence in professional practice and innovation.
Some of the top honours included OTC Brand of the Year, Pharmacy Only/POM Brand of the Year, Pharma Multinational Company of the Year, and Most Outstanding Export-oriented Pharma Manufacturer of the Year.
Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health, who was in attendance, commended the PSGH for its leadership and contribution to national development.
He said the platform not only uplifted excellence but also strengthened the collective resolve to advance healthcare delivery in the country.
The Minister said the 23 diverse award categories reflected the richness and depth of pharmacy practice, from community and hospital pharmacy to regulation, academia, industry, and public health.
“As Minister for Health, I have witnessed first-hand the immense value that pharmacists bring to patient care. Your role is not just vital, it is indispensable,” he said.
“Pharmacists are central to the rational use of medicines, to public health education, and to ensuring that the right medicine reaches the right patient, at the right time, and in the right dose,” he added.
The Minister said in line with the ministry’s vision for health transformation, the 2024 NDC Manifesto outlined several bold and progressive commitments to support pharmacists and grow the pharmaceutical sector, which include, promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing of essential medicines and vaccines, to reduce dependency on imports and enhance medicine security, establishing a National Bio-Equivalence Centre and a Pharmaceutical Research Institute, to advance scientific research and quality assurance.
“These are not just promises. They reflect a deep and unwavering belief in the capacity of Ghanaian pharmaceutical professionals to drive innovation, improve access, and save lives,” he said.
He congratulated winners for their excellence, saying that, “your dedication uplifts the profession and brings hope to patients and communities across this country. May this recognition serve as a beacon, not only for yourselves, but for the next generation of Ghanaian pharmacists.”
Dr. Samuel Kow-Donkoh, President of PSGH, described the event as a milestone in recognising the often-unseen efforts of pharmaceutical professionals.
“This is a moment to celebrate those who work tirelessly to uphold quality, safety, and efficacy in pharmaceutical products and services,” Dr. Donkoh said.
“We honour the dedication of individuals and teams who ensure that patient-oriented pharmaceutical care is not just a goal, but a standard.”
He said the awards also served as a platform to encourage responsible business practices, promote innovation, and foster a culture of excellence within the pharmaceutical landscape.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, assured the PSGH that the ministry remained committed to supporting an enabling environment for the pharmaceutical sector.
“We will continue to work with the PSGH, the FDA,PIWA, PMAG, development partners, and the private sector to remove barriers, enhance capacity, and boost competitiveness.
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare congratulated nominees and awardees for their immense contribution and hard work in achieving such successes.
GNA
CA/