In a bid to enhance healthcare efficiency and align with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) 2030 agenda, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), with support from the World Health Organization Ghana, has rolled out the 2nd Edition of the “Standards and Practice Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Services” (SPGPS). The guidelines aim to improve healthcare access by ensuring consistent, high-quality pharmaceutical services across the country.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of GHS, highlighted the Service’s dedication to expanding access to essential healthcare through innovative strategies. He mentioned that the guidelines are crafted to incorporate the latest healthcare policies and standards, addressing the evolving needs of patients and service providers alike. “This roll-out is part of our ongoing commitment to improve patient outcomes, enhance safety, streamline National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) claims, and integrate clinical pharmacy more effectively into institutional care,” Dr. Kuma-Aboagye emphasized. The guidelines, he noted, would also support the newly established Network of Practice facilities, where consistent pharmaceutical care will be a core service.

The nationwide initiative was launched during a three-day Training of Trainers workshop held for chief pharmacists and senior pharmacy personnel from across Ghana. The training is designed to equip these leaders with the knowledge to implement the guidelines effectively in their respective regions, ensuring that pharmacists nationwide adhere to a unified standard of care. “Practicing according to these standards will allow pharmacists to deliver ethical, high-quality services, regardless of the healthcare setting,” remarked Pharm. Dr. Dominic Otchere, Director of Pharmaceutical services.

However, participants at the workshop voiced concerns about potential barriers to successful implementation. Key among these were the insufficient number of pharmacists in GHS facilities and inadequate infrastructure, which many argued would pose significant challenges to practicing in line with the new standards. These gaps in pharmacy services have raised concerns among healthcare stakeholders, with some questioning whether the guidelines might become another “white elephant” without the necessary support for full integration into healthcare practices.

The GHS and WHO Ghana anticipate that the SPGPS roll-out will set a transformative precedent in Ghana’s pharmaceutical care, advancing the quality of healthcare delivery across all settings. However, experts assert that continued investment in pharmacy staffing and infrastructure is essential to truly realize the impact of these standards and make high-quality, accessible pharmaceutical care a reality for all.