Pharmacists urged to strengthen relationship with consumers
- 18th convention of local pharmacists hosted
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, June 24, 2018
In a call for a strengthening of the bond between pharmacists and customers Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence said “Your intervention is pivotal to the patients’ care and wellbeing…your knowledge and expertise place you in a position of responsibility, because of the close relationship that you develop and share with regular patients and over-the-counter customers…. You are consulted for guidance to produce healthy outcomes.”
Addressing the opening of the 18th convention of the Guyana Pharmacists Association (GPA) held at Guyana Pegasus Hotel, Minister Lawrence noted that pharmacists are crucial to the provision of medicine and its management. This, she said, includes ensuring patients adhere to prescribed medication and guarding against the improper circulation and use of prescription drugs and misuse of antibiotics.
“Ethically you are dealing with drugs and people and you have a responsibility to protect your patients at all time. To dispense the medication with the dosage required and not to take advantage of the patients financially or otherwise attempt to gain economically. Your value system, accountability and transparency are under scrutiny as you provide this essential health service,” the minister underscored.
The Health Minister reiterated that pharmacists must dispense advice that adheres to best practices, standards and guidelines that govern their profession; so that the image of GPA is not tarnished and the trust of the public is not undermined.
“You have health information that can educate the people on the safe use of medicine and practices that can result in improved health outcomes,” Minister Lawrence said.
Founded in 1895, GPA promotes, maintains and advances a high standard in the education of pharmacists and the practice of pharmacy.
By: Neola Damon.
Images: Karime Peters.