At the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), held at the University of Cape Coast, over 800 pharmacists, health p
At the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), held at the University of Cape Coast, over 800 pharmacists, health professionals, and policymakers gathered to address pressing issues affecting public health.
Central to their communiqué was a call for the government to *urgently integrate over 5,000 community pharmacies into the national primary healthcare system.
This move, they argued, would improve access to care, especially in underserved areas, and position pharmacies as the first point of contact for minor ailments, preventive services, and chronic disease management.
The pharmacists also raised alarm over the devastating impact of galamsey on public health.
They declared illegal small-scale mining a national public health emergency, citing widespread contamination of water sources, destruction of farmland, and increased levels of mercury and other toxins in the environment.
According to data from the Water Resources Commission, over 60% of Ghana’s major rivers are heavily polluted, threatening food safety and the viability of local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The PSGH emphasised that the health consequences—ranging from waterborne diseases to toxic exposure—require immediate and coordinated government action.
In addition to environmental concerns, the Society highlighted the urgent need to address pharmacist unemployment.
Over 1,600 qualified pharmacists are awaiting government postings, some for more than nine months due to delays in financial clearance.
With Ghana’s pharmacist-to-population ratio at 1:8,500—far below the World Health Organisation’s recommended 1:2,000—the PSGH urged the Ministry of Health to fast-track recruitment and improve working conditions to ensure safe and effective medication use across the country.
Finally, the pharmacists proposed leveraging the government’s 24-hour economy policy to boost local pharmaceutical production, reduce dependency on imports, and create sustainable jobs.
They also adopted “Dr. (Pharm)” as the official title for pharmacists with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, aiming to enhance professional recognition.
The PSGH reaffirmed its commitment to advancing pharmaceutical care and called for strategic partnerships with government and stakeholders to build a resilient, accessible, and environmentally conscious healthcare system.
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