On Wednesday 26th February 2025, the leadership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), led by its President, Pharm. Dr. Samuel Kow Donkoh paid a working visit to the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. The meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Health, provided an opportunity for high-level discussions on key issues affecting the pharmaceutical sector and the broader health system in Ghana.

Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who also serves as a Member of the ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, representing the Juaboso Constituency in the Western North Region, warmly welcomed the PSGH delegation. He was accompanied by his technical advisor, Dr. John Koku Awoonor-Williams.

The PSGH delegation included prominent leaders from various arms of the profession. Present were the Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Pharm. Dr. Dominic Otchere; Chairperson of the Community Practice Pharmacists Association (CPPA), Pharm. Dr. Emmanuel Ireland; Chairperson of the Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA), Pharm. Dr. Emmanuel Owiafe; Chairperson of the Lady Pharmacists Association of Ghana (LAPAG), Pharm. Dr. Lucia Addae; PSGH Executive Secretary, Pharm. Dr. Dennis Sena Awitty; and PSGH Deputy Executive Secretary, Pharm. Dr. Harry Amoaning Okyere.

During the meeting, the PSGH President congratulated Hon. Akandoh on his assumption of office as Minister for Health and expressed the Society’s commitment to supporting the Ministry in advancing healthcare delivery in Ghana. He emphasized the critical role of pharmacists in strengthening the health system and presented key advocacy issues that require urgent attention.

A major concern raised was the persistent lack of recruitment of pharmacists into the public sector, which continues to hinder the delivery of quality pharmaceutical care across the country. The PSGH called for immediate government action to address the human resource gap and ensure that hospitals and other public health institutions are adequately staffed with pharmacists.

Another crucial issue discussed was the need for enhanced support for pharmacists pursuing specialization at the Ghana College of Pharmacists. The delegation highlighted the importance of ensuring that pharmacists receive specialized training to enhance their expertise in clinical, community, and industrial pharmacy practice, which will ultimately improve healthcare delivery in Ghana.

The PSGH leadership also advocated for the formal designation of community pharmacies as primary healthcare centers and their integration into Ghana’s primary healthcare architecture. They stressed the need for policies that would allow community pharmacies to serve as frontline healthcare facilities, ensuring better access to essential medicines and pharmaceutical services, particularly for underserved populations. Additionally, they pushed for the expansion of services to include  treat of common illnesses under National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) reimbursement, which would enable more Ghanaians to benefit from pharmacist-led care.

The delegation further raised concerns about the need for stronger support for local pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly in the production of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and other essential medicines. In light of recent challenges, including USAID’s setbacks in supplying ARVs, the PSGH urged the Ministry to prioritize local production and create an enabling environment for pharmaceutical companies in Ghana to scale up manufacturing efforts. Strengthening the local pharmaceutical industry, they argued, would reduce dependency on imports and ensure medicine security for the country.

Beyond these pressing concerns, the PSGH President and his team also presented a range of other advocacy issues, all aimed at improving pharmaceutical practice and healthcare delivery in Ghana.

In response, Hon. Akandoh expressed appreciation for the PSGH’s proactive approach in engaging with the Ministry. He assured the delegation that he and his team would work diligently to address the concerns raised. Acknowledging the financial and logistical constraints facing the health sector, the Minister challenged PSGH to propose innovative funding solutions to support some of the initiatives discussed. He further encouraged continuous collaboration between the PSGH, the Ministry, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of policies that enhance pharmaceutical care and access to medicines.

Hon. Akandoh reaffirmed his commitment to an open-door policy, assuring the PSGH leadership that his office is always open for dialogue and collaboration. He welcomed future engagements aimed at finding practical solutions to the challenges affecting the pharmaceutical and health sectors.