Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and PSGH Call for Higher Professional Standards and 70% Local Medicine Production

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called on the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) to prioritize the quality of pharmacy education and professional practice over the sheer number of practitioners. Speaking at a ceremony at the Manhyia Palace to mark the Society's 90th anniversary, the Asantehene emphasized that the future of pharmacy in Ghana must be measured by the competence and expertise of its professionals. He underscored the indispensable role pharmacists play in the national healthcare system and urged the government to prioritize the training and strategic deployment of these professionals to ensure a robust pharmaceutical workforce capable of delivering high-quality healthcare.

Parallel to these calls for professional excellence, the President of the PSGH, Pharm. Paul Owusu Donkor, advocated for a significant shift in Ghana's pharmaceutical supply chain, urging the government to increase local medicine manufacturing to meet at least 70% of the country's needs. Currently, Ghana produces only about 30% of its medicines locally, a situation Pharm. Donkor described as a national security risk. By investing in manufacturing infrastructure and technology, the Society aims to bolster health security and reduce the country's heavy reliance on imported pharmaceutical products.

In addition to infrastructure and education, the 90th-anniversary discussions highlighted the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the proliferation of counterfeit medicines, particularly in underserved communities. The PSGH called for stricter enforcement of regulations to combat falsified products that thrive where oversight is weak. Pharm. Donkor emphasized that ensuring patient safety and managing medicine resistance are critical responsibilities for modern pharmacists, requiring constant vigilance and a patient-centered approach to care.

The landmark anniversary event also served as a platform to recognize distinguished contributions within the field, including honors for Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice-Chancellor of KNUST. As the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana looks toward the future, the dual focus on elevating professional standards and achieving self-sufficiency in medicine production remains central to their strategy. The Society maintains that a well-utilized pharmaceutical workforce and a strong local manufacturing sector are the essential pillars for a resilient and effective national health system.