By Florence Afriyie Mensah
Kumasi, Oct 25, GNA-The government of Ghana, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched a document which aims to standardize and harmonize pharmaceutical services in Ghana. Dubbed “Standards and Practice Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Services” (SPGPS) the document would provide minimum standard guidelines for pharmaceutical services in health facilities,
outlining a minimum level of services that pharmacy departments should consistently provide at the various levels of care.
Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General, GHS, said the document would serve as the bedrock of the tenets of pharmaceutical services in Ghana and make health care accessible.
“The SPGPS is the foundation of our strategy to set new standards for pharmaceutical services in GHS, and its roll out is the key pillar of our programme of work for pharmaceutical services from 2024 to 2026.
He was speaking at the launch of the SPGPS and a training of trainers on standard practices for pharmaceutical workers in Kumasi. “The national rollout we are witnessing today once again reinforces the commitment of the Ghana Health Service to identify innovative approaches to increase access to quality essential health care and population-based services for all,” he stated.
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said the launch was also in line with the strategic efforts to achieve universal health coverage by 2030, adding that, Ghana’s Primary Health Care (PHC) strategy remained the foundation to improve health outcomes. He indicated that one of the biggest hurdles in pharmacy practice was relying on outdated systems – practice tools, and guidelines.
He explained that with the training of Doctor of Pharmacy graduates and specialist pharmacists, advanced technologies in health service delivery were critical.
The problem, he observed, had been that organizations attempted to fix systems without equipping their people with adequate training tools and support, to enable them to function effectively.
“The SPGPS is meant to correct this anomaly in the pharmaceutical services space.
It is anticipated that the rollout and adherence to this document would amongst other things, improve patient outcome, enhance patients’ safety, prudently manage the medicines component of NHIS claims, facilitate the smooth integration of clinical/ward pharmacy practice into institutional care.
It would again enhance the smooth delivery of the pharmaceutical services across the rollout Network of Practice (NoP) facilities with model health centres as hubs by the GHS,” he explained.
Alhaji Kofi Baryeh, a former Ashanti Regional Manager of Medical Stores, urged pharmacists to prioritize clinical pharmacy in the discharge of their duties.
They should also embrace data analysis in their profession, adding that pharmacy was evolving, and professionals should adjust to match up to expectations.
Dr.Angela Ackon, a representative from the World Health Organization (WHO), believed that improved quality of health services was key and was hopeful the training and launch of the document would upgrade health systems in Ghana.
GNA