Pharm,. Ben Botwe handing over the cheque to chair person of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Justice Sophia Akuffo
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has donated GH¢100,000 to the National Covid-19 Trust Fund.
The move by the society forms part of its contribution to the fight against the pandemic and the Fund in particular.
President of the Society, Pharm. Ben Botwe, in a few words before the presentation of the amount thanked President Akufo-Addo for setting up the fund with clear objectives.
He said the Society’s in the over 80 years of its existence has contributed in diverse ways in the promotion of health and pharmaceutical services in various sectors.
He said pharmacists are working throughout the medicines value chain from training and research to manufacturing, quality assurance and quality control, importation, warehousing and distribution, hospital and clinical practice as well community Pharmacy practice.
“During the partial lock lockdown period, all Pharmacies remained open as essential service providers and pharmacists were at post to render healthcare services and supply the medicines needs of the communities and general population at great risk to themselves, their staff and families,” he added.
Pharm. Botwe further indicated that in line with its motto ‘Amicus Humani Generis” Friends of the Human Race, all pharmacists in Ghana and those in the diaspora have felt the need to contribute towards the National COVID-19 Trust Fund.
“On behalf of the Governing Board, the Standing Executive Committee and on my own behalf
I present a cheque of GHC 100,000.00 as our contribution to the Fun.
Our hope is that in considering the utilization of the fund, pharmaceutical research as well as community access to Pharmaceutical care and services will be given priority,” he added.
Proposal
The PSGH took the opportunity to call for the establishment of a National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Innovation and Development (NIPRID) as well as a National Bioequivalence Testing Centre to support local production of generic medicines.
The PSGH also expressed its readiness to provide technical assistance and concept notes tto support the proposals made.
“We need to be self-reliant in our drug production taking a cue from what COVID-19 has brought to the world today,” the Society said.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri