Commonwealth Pharmacists Association calls for global
alertness of patient safety
Accra, Aug. 7, Ghanadot/GNA-
The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) on Friday
called on their colleague health professionals worldwide, to
be alert of the current potential threats to the welfare and
safety of their patients.
The CPA also called for collaborative planning for the
reduction of risk and management of disasters and crises.
This was contained in a communiqué issued by the
association, at the end of an annual meeting in Accra on the
theme: “Managing Threats and Crises: The vital role of
pharmacy in an unstable world.”
The conference coincided with the 74th Pharmaceutical
Society of Ghana annual conference.
The communiqué noted that natural and man-made threats and
crises and systematic failures are increasingly common
features of the modern world.
It said the dangers they pose had radical and damaging
effects on the health and welfare of large populations, with
children particularly exposed, especially in developing
countries.
“Deficiencies and inequalities in human rights and in the
provision of basic resources, services and opportunities,
contribute significantly to global diseases and premature
death.”
The communiqué said tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria,
pandemic viral infections, cancer, heart disease and
lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension and obesity
as well as tobacco use, natural disasters; illegal drug
trafficking and unregulated use of medicines created many
challenges globally.
Members of the CPA reaffirmed their commitment to the
universal declaration of human rights in view of global food
shortages, water, shelter, poor sanitation, lack of
education, access to healthcare and medicines.
The communiqué said pharmacists, distributed throughout the
globe were well-placed to perceive, assess, and manage
risks.
The CPA pledged to work actively with patients and
communities to improve on health through education, public
health initiatives, community development and advocacy.
The pharmacists expressed commitment to work actively to
ensure the progressive realisation of the rights of the
child, including the right of access to health care services
and high quality essential medicines.
The communiqué said: “ Pharmacists in industry bear key
responsibility for providing safe, efficacious and
affordable medicines of quality, in their daily
relationships and activities.”
“In developing their vision of a better world all
pharmacists should take leadership in many aspects of
reducing risk and improving health throughout the
Commonwealth and beyond.”
GNA
