Being friends of the human race is really serving humanity. The tremendous amount of sacrifice, effort, and care that pharmacists put into their work deserves appreciation of comparable magnitude. The World Pharmacy Day, which was endorsed on September 25th, 2009, at the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, marked the first step towards appreciating pharmacists on a global scale. From that day till date, the day has been set aside for that purpose.

 

As a way of honouring our heroes behind drug manufacture, dispensing and drug-related patient safety issues, the Editorial Board of GPSA-KNUST engaged one of their lecturers, Dr. Evelyn Asante-Kwatia(detailed profile), from the Department of Pharmacognosy in the

 

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Students in a 3-hour long interview on 23rd September, 2023, which was held online on the WhatsApp “Interview Room” platform. The theme of the interview was “Demystifying the Pharmacy Profession.” The interview, hosted by Miss Bonsu Ohemaa and Miss Dolores Seli, fulfilled the promise of being both insightful and exciting and because of that, helped us as students and future pharmacists to broaden our horizons on the subject of the profession in question.

 

The Interview began with Dr Evelyn admitting that her dream profession hadn’t always been Pharmacy or any health profession for that matter but rather her passion as a little girl had been to render services as an air hostess due to her fascination with aeroplanes. It was during

 

deliberations on the subject of undergraduate program selection with her mom after the release of her year’s WASSCE results that her mom pitched the profession to her. Her mother went on to introduce her to a young lady pharmacist who gave her an insight on what the program/profession entails. It was from that point that her passion for pharmacy began to grow. This led to her application for the program.

 

Throughout the interview,  Evelyn meticulously and cleverly explained the benefits of being a pharmacist, the evolution of our profession, and our future direction in her brilliant and comprehensible responses. She was essentially doing what she does best, which is to lecture her students, only this time the lecture was not about the histology of plant leaves or the principle behind gas chromatography but rather what it means to be and what it takes to become a true “Amicus Humanis Generis”; a true Friend of the Human Race.

 

This article seeks to fill you in on what transpired during the session to keep all of us (members of the GPSA) abreast with all that was shared that day. Please do enjoy the read.

 

 THE INTERVIEW

 

OHEMAA: “As a member of one of the last batches of Bachelor of Pharmacy undergraduates, can you please tell me what the Bachelor of Pharmacy era was like?”

 

DR. EVELYN: “The B. Pharm Programme was 4 years, packed with all the things you guys learned. It had only one vacation for internship, i.e., 3rd year vacation. It was not very patient-centred like we have it now. We didn’t have many young lecturers like you do. Our labs were a separate component and there were a lot of withdrawals. Four trails in 1st year were tantamount to direct withdrawal. Repetition was not common at all. It was straight counselling and withdrawal to find a more suitable program”

 

SELI: “What inspired the change to Doctor of Pharmacy?”

 

DR. EVELYN: “…Years ago, the trends in Pharmacy Practice shifted from medicine-centred service to patient-centred service where the emphasis is placed on patient care. So our contemporary Pharmacy Education had to be modified to train pharmacy graduates to provide patient-centred and population-based care that optimizes medication therapy.

Moreover, the B. Pharm was not recognized in most Western countries…So we wanted to have a training that will offer a degree that’s internationally recognized “

 

 

OHEMAA: “For the sake of clarity, what is the difference between a pharmacist and a pharmacy technician?”

 

DR. EVELYN: “The pharmacist is the head of the Pharmacy and he is assisted by the Pharmacy Technician…The most significant difference between a pharmacist and a pharmacy technician is the depth of their training, which also influences their roles in practice.”

 

OHEMAA: “Why do most hospitals and community pharmacies prefer to employ more Pharmacy Technicians than pharmacists?”

 

DR. EVELYN: “The point is, the technicians are paid less to do the same job”

 

OHEMAA: “What’s a typical day like for a pharmacist?”

 

DR. EVELYN: “There’ll be some patient interactions;  answering questions about medications, providing counselling, and addressing concerns…, Dispensing of medications…, Medication Review…., Collaborating with other people in the healthcare teams to create treatment plans and adjust medications based on patient needs…, Administrative Tasks…, Inventory Management… and Patient

 

Education.

During leisure, you stay current by updating yourself on the latest developments in pharmaceutical and healthcare regulations. For those in marketing, it’s got to do with interactions with potential buyers, making presentations, booking appointments for meetings and the like.”

 

OHEMAA: “Based on your knowledge of pharmacy, which of the branches will you recommend ?”

 

DR. EVELYN: “We all have different abilities and interests…. Embrace the opportunities that come your way. One will open a door to another.”

 

SELI: “Why did you choose academia? And tell us about your journey to becoming a lecturer”

 

DR. EVELYN: “Just before I completed B. Pharm, I coincidentally found myself in a conversation about life after school with one of our lecturers, the late Prof. Kofi Annan He actually whipped up my interest in academia and research. He told me I came across as a person who would love to remain in an academic environment and that I’ll be able to teach Then after a few days my love for the profession called “lecturer ” began to grow”

 

OHEMAA: “Can you please give us an insight on the pharmacy license; iits pros when it’s renewed and any other information?”

 

DR. EVELYN: “You get a PPharmacyRegistration Number after passing your GPPQE. This is what makes you a pharmacist and a member of the PSGH. Every year we pay the PSGH dues which makes you a member in good standing. Then you can register or superintend a pharmacy.

The pharmacy you’ll be superintending has its oown icense that has to be renewed yearly with the aid aof  pharmacist’s license.

Without a pharmacist license no community pharmacy can operate”

 

SELI: “How many licenses does one need to start a community pharmacy?”

 

DR. EVELYN: “One ,please. One pharmacy registration for one registered Pharmacy and you can use it once a year. You cannot use your license  for two different facilities”

 

SELI:  “But can a facility use more than one license?”

 

DR. EVELYN: “No.. Except they have more than one pharmacy with the same name at different locations. E.g. Laud K at Kotei and Laud K at Boadi.. should have 2 different licenses.”

 

SELI: “How do you balance your life outside work with the pressure that comes with being a pharmacist?”

 

DR. EVELYN: “For me.. it’s family, then job. Of course ,I also try as much to give time to church activities… I always make a plan on my phone before I sleep… and try to tick along as I accomplish my tasks…”

 

OHEMAA: “Finally, please share with us

some of the good sides of ppractisingpharmacy.”

 

DR. EVELYN: “Firstly, the profession you’ve chosen is a noble profession…..Pharmacy is a profession that comes with automatic dignity.

Secondly, pharmacists also enjoy a wide variety of career opportunities”

Furthermore, pharmacy is one of the most financially rewarding careers.

Last but not least, pharmacists are consistently in demand. Even in times of economic downturns there’s a relatively high level of job security that comes with a career in pharmamcy. ….Usually students who push themselves through and portray remarkable attitudes during internships and housejobs are likely to find a job right after school”

 

QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

Q: “I don’t seem to have interest in both the community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy based on the little internship we’ve been doing.

I want to know if it’s normal or there is something I really have to do.

Going to 4th year, I still don’t know where I belong.” – Anonymous

 

A: “It’s common not to have a clear direction at this stage like I said. Embrace the learning process, and engage in internships or projects that come your way. Your passion may develop with experience. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from the faculty and peers. Your unique path will unfold with time. Keep up the good work!”

 

Q: “Please shed some light on what it takes as an international student who studied in Ghana to register and get a license in Ghana.” – Bruce Arigye

 

A: ” For every international student who wants to practice pharmacy in Ghana, all it takes as far as I know is pass GPPQE, pay your dues and become a member of PSGH.”

 

Q: “I am someone who is quite interested in clinical pharmacy practice..so what are some of the specialties available for pharmacists and what are the avenues available for their training ?” – Kwame Agyare

 

A: “There are several avenues: oncology, paediatric, infectious disease, geraitrics, endocrinology (diabetes), cardiology, etc. The Ghana College of Pharmacists offers a wide range of speciality courses in

 

Pharmacy.”

 

Q: “Please, can you do research without being a lecturer?” – Eva

 

A: “Oh yes.. There are several research institutions in Ghana that employ people to undertake research without lecturing.. A few are CSIR, FORIG, NOGUCHI, KCCR, and several others abroad”

 

Q: “Some of us have given the academia and research branch of Pharmacy a good thought. But we’ve lived to see our lecturers complain about proper remuneration and even went on a nationwide strike twice last year. Would you say academia and research is good option for us as upcoming pharmacists? Because we need money o, the country is hard” – Kofi Antwi

 

 

A: “Firstly Yes.. Academia and Research is a good option for you once you’re a person with a desire to learn, do research and sometimes teach. Our salary is one of the best in Ghana. Mind you, you may not find yourself even in Ghana after pursuing further studies… You see, the reason why we go on strike is because they lie to us. There are other conditions of service we have requested that is our due but is not given us.”

 

Q: “It seems like the current pharmacy structure looks scarier than it was in your time. Hundreds of Pharm D graduates are now being produced per batch in a very unstable economic dispensation with developmental stagnation. What advice do you have for us as upcoming pharmacists? Because some of us are losing hope,

 

watching our seniors stay home or just surviving on locum jobs with meagre salaries, nowhere close making their school fees worth it.” – Kofi Antwi

 

A: “In the face of economic challenges and concerns about the pharmacy profession, my advice to upcoming pharmacists is to remain resilient, stay committed to your passion for healthcare, and explore various career paths within pharmacy. While the landscape may change, your skills and dedication will continue to be valuable. Seek mentorship, build a strong network, and consider diversifying your skills to adapt to these changes. Remember that challenges can also bring opportunities for innovation and growth.”

 

Q: “How long does it take to get your license after the GPPQE. Can you use your

 

license right after you get it?” – Jamel

 

A: “Oh right after passing your final school exams and the GPPQE if you did the pharm D. But it is provisional. You’ll be migrated onto the permanent register the following year if you’re in good standing”

 

Q: “Hello Doc, please what’s your take on AI taking over some jobs and  the fate of pharmacy in some years to come?” – Anonymous

 

A: “AI will give the information but the medicines have to be dispensed or manufactured by a human. When it comes to life, nobody will leave their lives in the hands of AI. I doubt AI can take the position of any person in the healthcare profession.”

 

Q: ” Since you say that Academia and

 

Research offers one of the best salaries in Ghana, what can we expect (in terms of salary) for those who of us want to venture there.” – Michael

 

A: “Salary changes overtime and best is subjective. My best may not be your best. Also in academia, factors like, experience, level, where you work exactly and other factors like grants awarded for research vary and can affect one’s financial status.  Whatever the case may be, these figures can fluctuate, so it’s essential to research specific details and keep in mind that salaries can change over time”.