A keynote Address by Dr Taiwo Adefurin at the 2024 pharmacy week in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Protocols,
Dear fellow Pharmacists, men of honour and esteemed guests.
As we gather here to celebrate this year pharmacy week, I am greatly honoured to address this esteemed group of Pharmacists of the Sunshine State.
The theme for this year’s Pharmacy Week is PHARMACIST: MEETING GLOBAL HEALTH NEEDS
We recognise the vital role that Pharmacist play in ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of mankind.
Pharmacists are the backbone of healthcare; working tirelessly behind the scene to ensure that patients receive the best possible care for quality health outcomes.
Pharmacy is not just a profession but a calling. You need a potent anointing to understand the mystery of drug and use the same to care for the mystery of God creation as encapsulated in the human and animal bodies
Sometimes I marvel when I look at the mystery of immunology and the mechanisms of actions of many drugs that I have concluded that the Almighty God has graciously anointed us pharmacists to understand these things for the wellbeing of mankind.
I look at the size and content of different pharmacopea BP , IP AP, the pharmaceutical codex and even the BNF. I studied the bible in English and Yoruba and read the koran in Yoruba version. I could see very clearly that the energy of the anointing of the Pharmacist is enormous and huge.
From drug design, production into acceptable dosage forms ,securing the microbiological integrity of each product , ensuring compliance with world health orgqnisation and regulatory standards, marketing, counselling on medication, use, monitoring drug/drug, drug food, drug herbal interaction, and general use of medications, pharmacists have a deep and unfathomable knowledge in the use of drugs to ensure patient safety.
As pharmacists, we face a lot of challenges in our calling such as Identification of drug therapy problems that is confronting mankind, antibiotics resistance and quackery from the public. Drug therapy problems alone is a worldwide problem that kills more than road traffic accident.
While the work place environment of the community pharmacist is gradually improving through the collaborative efforts of the ACPN and the pharmacy council , the hospital pharmacist continue to face many challenges in their work place environment
Improving the working environment for hospital pharmacists is crucial for their well-being, job satisfaction, and ultimately, patient care. Here are some areas for improvement:
Physical Environment
1. Ergonomic workspace design
2. Adequate staffing and resources
3. Modern technology and automation
4. Comfortable break rooms and rest areas
5. Secure storage for medications and sensitive information
Work-Life Balance in:
1. Flexible scheduling and reasonable work hours
2. Regular breaks and time off
3. Support for continuing education and professional development
4. Employee wellness programs and mental health resources
5. Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance
Interprofessional Collaboration
1. Integrated pharmacy services within healthcare teams
2. Clear communication channels with healthcare professionals
3. Collaborative decision-making and problem-solving
4. Pharmacy representation in hospital committees
5. Interdisciplinary education and training
Patient Safety and Quality
1. Implementing barcode scanning and automated dispensing systems
2. Standardized medication management protocols
3. Pharmacists’ involvement in rounds and patient care decisions
4. Continuous quality improvement initiatives
5. Patient counseling and education programs
Staffing and Training
1. Adequate pharmacist-to-patient ratio
2. Specialized training for pharmacists in specific therapeutic areas
3. Residency programs and mentorship opportunities
4. Ongoing professional development and certification support
5. Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
Technology and Informatics
1. Electronic health records (EHRs) integration
2. Automated medication reconciliation
3. Clinical decision support systems
4. Telepharmacy services expansion
5. Data analytics for quality improvement
Leadership and Support
1. Strong pharmacy leadership and advocacy
2. Hospital administration support for pharmacy initiatives
3. Open communication channels for concerns and feedback
4. Recognition of pharmacists’ contributions to patient care
5. Resources for addressing burnout and compassion fatigue
Improving the working environment for hospital pharmacists requires a multifaceted approach. Hospitals should prioritize pharmacists’ well-being, empower them to provide high-quality patient care, and foster a collaborative and supportive work environments.
As professionals, we must embrace these challenges with courage and resistance, proffer solutions to achieve better health outcomes to improve the quality of life of mankind.
Statistics have shown that Pharmacists are the most trusted people in their occupation, according to a recent Gallup poll. The poll ranked Pharmacist 3rd among professionals in the United State for honesty and ethical standard with 66% of respondents raising their trustworthiness as VERY HIGH OR HIGH.
Gallup Inc: An American multinational analysis and advisory agency based in the Washington DC founded by George Gallup in 1935.
The perception of pharmacists in Nigeria varies among the public, but here are some common views:
Positive Perceptions:
1. Trusted healthcare professionals: Many Nigerians view pharmacists as trusted and knowledgeable healthcare professionals.
2. Accessible healthcare providers: Pharmacists are often the first point of contact for healthcare services, especially in rural areas.
3. Medication experts: The public recognizes pharmacists’ expertise in medication management and counseling.
4. Community health advocates: Pharmacists are seen as advocates for public health, promoting disease prevention and health education.
Negative Perceptions:
1. Limited role: Some Nigerians perceive pharmacists as only dispensing medications, underestimating their broader role in healthcare.
2. Commercialization: The public may view pharmacies as solely profit-driven, rather than patient-centered.
3. Lack of professionalism: Some individuals may perceive pharmacists as unprofessional or unresponsive to patient needs.
4. Counterfeit medicine concerns: The prevalence of counterfeit medicines in Nigeria has led to mistrust of some pharmacists.
Areas for Improvement:
1. Public awareness campaigns: Educating the public about pharmacists’ roles and responsibilities.
2. Enhanced patient-pharmacist interaction: Improving communication and counseling skills.
3. Professional development: Continuing education and training for pharmacists.
4. Regulation and enforcement: Strengthening regulatory bodies to combat counterfeit medicines.
Recommendations:
1. Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) advocacy efforts.
2. Public outreach programs and health education initiatives.
3. Collaborations with healthcare organizations and government agencies.
4. Media campaigns to promote pharmacists’ contributions.
The world need pharmacists now more than ever to face the challenge of meeting world health need – this is theme of this year pharmacy week.
What then are the basic needs of Global Health?
1.Universal Health coverage
2.Pandemic preparedness and response
3.Climate change and health
4.Antibiotics resistance
5.Global health security
Pharmacist can play a vital role in meeting these global health needs in several ways:
Access to Medicare, by ensuring access to essential drugs particularly in underserved area.
Medication management: Pharmacists optimise medication use improving quality outcomes and reducing the incidence of adverse events.
Disease prevention: Pharmacists provide immunisation, health screening and educator on disease prevention.
Chronic disease management provision of strategies to manage chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, arthritis, osteoporosis to mention a few.
Infection Disease Control: STI, HIV, Malaria, Hepatitis etc
Global Health Policies: Pharmacist provide Information and shape policy decision on healthcare system.
The ODHCMA is a brilliant world class attempt to improve the management of drugs and consumables to ensure safety.
Research and Development: Pharmacist drive innovation in drug discovery, development marketing and delivery.
I was impressed at the contribution to this by Beget Pharm Co. Ltd of our IPC. Those little efforts are the beginning of great things to come.
Health Education: Pharmacist educate patients in their community about healthy devices,
Disease prevention and medication use.
Disaster Response e.g. during COVID, Flooding, Riots and Natural disasters.
Collaboration and Partnership: working with governments healthcare professionals to address global health challenges.
By leveraging on the professional expertise, pharmacist can make a very significant impact in meeting these needs, improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare delivery worldwide.
CONCLUSION
This week, we celebrate the great efforts of Pharmacists to improve patient outcomes, advance healthcare. From the hospital management Board and On behalf of the Governor of Ondo State His Excellency, Governor Orimisan Ayedatiwa. We congratulate all Pharmacists for this year celebration.
Thank you great men of honor for all you do to improve the quality of life of the people of Ondo State at your duty post viz the Public Service, Hospitals, Industries, Academia, Community Services and Political leadership.
Let us finally and quickly too remind ourselves that come November, 2024, we as men of honour, need to join hands with fellow citizens of Ondo State to vote for His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa in the gubernatorial election.I want to believe we are all lucky. Are you lucky??? Odatiwa Odirorun!!!!!
Happy Pharmacy week.
Taiwo Adefurin MCPAN
