The Pharmacy Technicians Association of Ghana (PTAG) has called on the government to increase the number of pharmacy technicians employed in the public sector to address the growin
The report indicates that the Pharmacy Technicians Association of Ghana (PTAG) has called on the government to increase the number of pharmacy technicians employed in the public sector to address the growing number of unemployed practitioners.
It further notes that pTAG President Pharmatech Michael Gyamprah stated more than 4,000 pharmacy technicians are currently unemployed, with some having completed their training as far back as 2020.
He stated the Association had worked with the Ministry of Health to secure clearance to employ 150 pharmacy technicians, who are currently undergoing the posting process to their respective districts.
Pharmatech Gyamprah made the call at the 17th Annual General Conference of the Pharmacy Technicians Association of Ghana in Sunyani.
The conference was held on the theme: “The Role of Pharmacy Technicians in Advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.”
He stated although the employment of the 150 technicians was a step in the right direction, the number remained inadequate compared with the thousands of trained technicians awaiting employment.
He stated the Association was engaging the Ministry of Health to secure additional opportunities for pharmacy technicians.
“We therefore call on the government to increase the allocation for all pharmacy practitioners,” he said.
Pharmatech Gyamprah also called on the Pharmacy Council to strengthen its supervision of institutions that train pharmacy technicians.
He stated while Ghana needed more pharmacy professionals, the quality of training must not be compromised.
He further urged the Pharmacy Council to strictly enforce laws restricting the dispensing of certain medicines to qualified pharmacy professionals.
According to him, non-pharmacy practitioners should not be allowed to dispense Class A and B medicines in pharmacies and hospital dispensaries.
He stated strict enforcement of the law would help reduce the misuse of antimicrobial medicines.
Pharmatech Gyamprah also stated the merger between the Ghana Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) and PTAG had strengthened cooperation within the pharmacy workforce and improved the provision of pharmaceutical care.
