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PSGH Marks 90 Years with Maiden Dinner and Awards Night: A Call for Strategic Healthcare Investment

Introduction

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has celebrated a significant milestone—the organization’s 90th anniversary. To mark this historic occasion, the PSGH hosted its inaugural Dinner and Awards Night in Ho, bringing together pharmacists, regulators, and stakeholders from the Volta and Oti Regions. While the event served as a celebration of professional excellence, it also functioned as a critical platform to address the pressing challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector in Ghana. The central theme of the evening was a dual appeal: the urgent need for the government to employ more pharmacists to alleviate workforce burdens and a strategic push to boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing to ensure national health security.

Key Points

Background

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH)

Established nearly a century ago, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana stands as one of the three oldest recognized professional bodies in the country. Dr. Paul Owusu Donkor, a key speaker at the event, described the PSGH as the “umbrella body” for all pharmacists in Ghana. Over the decades, the Society has evolved from a colonial-era association into a modern professional regulator responsible for the training, ethics, and practice of pharmacy in the country. Its 90th anniversary is not merely a retrospective celebration but a forward-looking agenda-setting exercise.

The Healthcare Landscape in Ghana

Ghana’s healthcare system has faced systemic challenges regarding the distribution of human resources for health. While the country produces skilled medical professionals, a “brain drain” and uneven distribution often leave rural areas underserved. Pharmacists, frequently the first point of contact for patients seeking healthcare, play a pivotal role in medication safety and adherence. However, the current ratio of pharmacists to patients remains strained, leading to operational inefficiencies in public hospitals.

Analysis

The Crisis of Pharmacist Shortages

The Volta and Oti Regional Chairman of the PSGH, Dr. Pharm. Courage Ketor, provided a stark analysis of the current workforce situation. He highlighted that the acute scarcity of pharmacists is directly responsible for long queues at hospital pharmacies and Outpatient Departments (OPDs). This bottleneck does more than delay treatment; it places an excessive workload on the few available staff, increasing the risk of burnout and medication errors.

Dr. Ketor’s analysis suggests that the solution is not complex but requires administrative will: the immediate issuance of clearance for recruitment. By increasing the headcount of pharmacists, hospitals can significantly improve the flow of patients and the quality of pharmaceutical care.

Retention Challenges in Rural Areas

While recruitment is essential, retention remains a critical analytical point. The current compensation structure for rural postings is viewed as insufficient. Dr. Ketor noted that after six years of rigorous schooling and internship, young professionals have financial expectations that are often unmet in deprived areas. Without a “rural hardship” package—including housing, transport allowances, and stipends—retention becomes difficult. This creates a cycle where rural areas serve as training grounds for pharmacists who quickly migrate to urban centers, leaving rural populations vulnerable.

Local Production and National Security

Dr. Paul Owusu Donkor introduced a macro-economic analysis regarding drug availability. He revealed that Ghana currently produces only about 30% of its pharmaceutical needs, importing the remaining 70%. This dependency poses a significant risk to national security, particularly during global health crises where supply chains are disrupted. Dr. Donkor argues that medicines have transitioned from mere commodities to strategic assets. Therefore, the government must create an enabling environment for local manufacturers through tax waivers on raw materials and improved logistics.

Practical Advice

For Policymakers and Government

To address the issues raised during the PSGH anniversary, the following steps are recommended:

1. Expedite Recruitment Clearance: Prioritize the approval of recruitment quotas for the health sector to fill vacancies in public facilities immediately.
2. Implement Rural Incentive Packages: Fulfill promises regarding rural allowances and ensure the provision of decent accommodation to make rural postings attractive and sustainable.
3. Support Local Industry: Review the tax structure on pharmaceutical raw materials to encourage local manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.

For Pharmacists and Stakeholders

Young pharmacists and industry players can take proactive steps:

1. Embrace Service: Consider postings to rural areas as an opportunity to make a tangible impact, as encouraged by the PSGH leadership.
2. Engage in Pharmacovigilance: actively collaborate with the FDA to report adverse drug reactions and identify substandard medicines.
3. Mentorship: Senior pharmacists should focus on mentorship to instill the values of compassion and commitment in the next generation.

FAQ

Conclusion

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana’s 90th Anniversary Dinner and Awards Night was more than a ceremonial gathering; it was a clarion call for healthcare reform. The event highlighted the symbiotic relationship between workforce management—specifically the recruitment and retention of pharmacists—and national health security via local manufacturing. As the PSGH looks toward its centenary, the path forward requires a collaborative effort between the government, regulatory bodies like the FDA, and the pharmacists themselves to ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to every Ghanaian, regardless of their location.

Sources

• Life Pulse Daily (Original Report)
• Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) Official Statements
• Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana Regulatory Updates