The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has charged newly inducted pharmacists to play a leading role in Ghana’s fight against opioid abuse, describing the crisis as a national emergency.
Speaking at an induction ceremony organised by the Pharmacy Council of Ghana on Wednesday, July 9, the Minister underscored the growing responsibility pharmacists hold in ensuring public health and combating the misuse of drugs, especially tramadol.
“Opioid abuse is not just a public health issue; it is a national emergency,” Hon. Akandoh declared, as he urged the new pharmacists to stand at the forefront of efforts to prevent misuse and promote responsible medication use.
The ceremony, held under the theme “The Future is Now: Young Pharmacists at the Forefront of Preventing Opioid Misuse in Ghana”, marked the entry of a new cohort into the profession.
Describing the occasion as a “special day”, the Minister congratulated the inductees on reaching a major milestone “through dedication, hard work, and perseverance.” He described pharmacists as “frontline healthcare providers, educators, patient advocates, and guardians of public health,” whose role directly affects health outcomes and community well-being.
Hon. Akandoh also stressed the importance of pharmacists in implementing key government health policies, including the MahamaCares and Free Primary Health Care programmes. He noted that the success of such initiatives relies heavily on pharmacists’ ability to deliver accessible and quality healthcare and manage chronic illnesses at the community level.
Quoting the profession’s motto “Amicus Humanis Generis” — Friends of the Human Race — the Minister called on the new pharmacists to serve with compassion, ethics, and excellence.
The Ministry of Health extended its congratulations to the inductees and commended the Pharmacy Council for its continued dedication to raising standards in healthcare delivery.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
