“Pharmacists Urged to Take Lead in Healthcare”
"Pharmacists Urged to Take Lead in Healthcare"
“Pharmacists Urged to Take Lead in Healthcare”
Pharm. Dr. Martha Gyansa Lutterodt, former Director and Technical Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, has urged pharmacists to take a more active role in healthcare. She commended the Community Practice Pharmacists Association (CPPA) for their consistency in organizing the Community Pharmacy Month celebration and for their efforts in addressing various healthcare issues.
Dr. Lutterodt emphasized the importance of pharmacists being involved in national healthcare initiatives and being at the table when decisions are made. She noted that if pharmacists are not part of the conversation, they will not be able to contribute to the decision-making process.
She also praised the CPPA for their work on the Medication Therapy Management program and vaccination issues. However, she raised questions about how clients can know that pharmacists are doing more and where they are doing more. She emphasized the need for pharmacists to be visible and to make a difference in the healthcare system.
Dr. Lutterodt highlighted the importance of pharmacists being involved in the ongoing health movement, particularly in the area of non-communicable diseases. She noted that if pharmacists are not counted in the data, they will not be recognized for their contributions.
She quoted Steve Jobs, saying that great things are never done by one person, but by a team of people. She emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration in moving the agenda of community practice to the next level.
Dr. Lutterodt also raised concerns about the lack of data on healthcare services provided by pharmacists, citing the example of malaria testing and treatment. She emphasized the need for pharmacists to interface properly with the district health management team to ensure that their contributions are recognized.
Overall, Dr. Lutterodt’s message was a call to action for pharmacists to take a more active role in healthcare and to be more visible in their contributions.
Story by Fada Amakye from Daily Sun online
