President of the Ghana Association of Medicine Counter Assistants, Constant Abbey, has conveyed concern regarding certain prescription documents issued by specific doctors.
He mentioned that the information present in the medical prescriptions is alarming and has the potential to lead to a major disaster within the industry if appropriate measures are not implemented.
During a private discussion with Bohyeba K Afriyie on Rainbow Radio, numerous challenges affecting the sector were discussed, with minimal efforts from the Pharmacy Council to tackle these issues.
Abbey noted that the contacts of the doctors who prescribed the drugs on the papers are often not captured, enabling the person administering the drugs to contact them for confirmation.
“We have been trained on how to identify drugs recommended by doctors, but in recent times, the handwriting that has reached our members has been appalling.” When situations like these happen, it puts a strain on us. You also won’t see the doctors’ phone numbers on the documents, so you can’t call and confirm the drug recommendation. In this instance, the patient who requires the drug or drugs moves from pharmacy to pharmacy in search of the same medication.”
He was speaking to him on the sidelines of Merkot Health College’s graduation and matriculation ceremony for Medicine Counter Assistants over the weekend.
He further lamented that the Ghana Pharmacy Council has yet to give the pin codes for them to work with.
This, he observed, has affected the job of their members who work in public or government facilities because they are unable to complete their mechanisation.
“Our regulator, the Pharmacy Council, has not released our pins for us to work with as we speak.” Our members who work in public facilities have been impacted since they are unable to complete their mechanisation. When you log into the portal, you will see a pharmacy counter helper, which we no longer have. Medicine Counter Assistants are what we have. We’ll be able to work more efficiently if they update the portal and give us our pins.”
He requested that the Council take action to ensure that members follow the profession’s norms and ethics.
Efforts to engage their regulator to resolve these concerns, he claims, have been futile.
Isaac Kotey, CEO of Merkot Health College, assured all in attendance that the school would continue to defend, protect, and ensure the peaceful stay of both new and continuing students.
He emphasised the need for the graduates to continue to demonstrate their abilities with the greatest standards of ethics, integrity, and compassion when providing services in the future.
The Special Guest for the ceremony, ACP Samuel Tibil Punobyin from the National Police Headquarters, complemented the Merkot Health College Management on their efforts in his address.
He stressed the importance of students taking their education seriously and pursuing success in their chosen fields.