The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has charged newly inducted pharmacists to take a leading role in combating the opioid crisis in Ghana
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has charged newly inducted pharmacists to take a leading role in combating the opioid crisis in Ghana.
The Minister made this call at the induction ceremony of a new cohort of pharmacists into the profession, held under the theme “The Future is Now: Young Pharmacists at the Forefront of Preventing Opioid Misuse in Ghana”.
Akandoh emphasized the critical and evolving role of pharmacists in Ghana’s healthcare landscape, describing them as “frontline healthcare providers, educators, patient advocates, and guardians of public health.”
He noted that pharmacists’ work has a direct impact on health outcomes and the well-being of the public.
The Minister highlighted the importance of pharmacists in delivering accessible, quality healthcare and managing chronic diseases at the community level.
The Opioid Crisis
The Minister issued a call to action on the ongoing opioid crisis, particularly the misuse of tramadol. “Opioid abuse is not just a public health issue; it is a national emergency,” Akandoh declared.
He emphasized the need for pharmacists to take a leading role in preventing opioid misuse and promoting public health.
Akandoh highlighted the central role of pharmacists in the government’s broader health agenda, including the MahamaCares and Free Primary Health Care initiatives.
These programs, he said, rely on pharmacists to deliver accessible, quality healthcare and manage chronic diseases at the community level.
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