Pharmacists must embrace digital technologies to transform pharmacy practice in a way that ensures every citizen has access to affordable and essential medicines.
This was the crux of speeches delivered at the 31st Annual Scientific Conference and Pharmacy Week of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter.
Gathered at the ASUU Ultramodern Banquet Hall at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, under the theme: “Impactful revolutionary practice towards Universal Health Coverage: Appraisal and prospects” and the sub-theme, “The impact of telepharmacy, E-Prescription and other digital health innovations on expanding access to essential medicines and services”, the members of association advanced discussions on how to revolutionize results-oriented pharmacy practice in the state and the country at large.
Leading the discussion, the National Health Information Officer of World Health Organization, WHO, Pharmacist Nkiruka Ukor who delivered the keynote speech at the conference, asked pharmacists to make it a priority to adopt digital technologies in their practice to create more effective and efficient access to essential medicines.
In an agreement, the guest speaker and Chief Executive Officer of Advantage Health Africa, Pharmacist Abimbola Adebakin emphasized that “technology has come to stay and pharmacists must not be left behind in the adoption of technologies in advancing their service provision in the modern society” while clamouring for a review of practice structures and norms to catch up with the rest of the world.
Earlier in a speech, the Head of Service of Anambra State, Barr. Theodora Igwegbe who also served as the Chairman of the Conference, enumerated the innovations and policies implemented by the Anambra State Government to ensure that Ndi Anambra are provided with quality health care services.
She stated that the upcoming Anambra State Coordinated Wholesale Distribution Centre, Oba; the Anambra State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Hub, Ogboji; the newly completed ultramodern Anambra State Drug Store in Awka and the State Drug Revolving Fund will change the narrative for access to essential medicines in the state.
According to the Host of the conference and Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Anambra State, Pharmacist Emeka Okpana, the association will set up a post-conference implementation committee to ensure that the outcomes of the conference and discussions are turned into strategic action plans with clear milestones and deadlines that are monitored to guarantee that they are not just talked about but are done.
For the Chairman of the Pharmacy Week and Conference Planning Committee, Pharm. Alex Ndupuechi, he is hopeful that the conference will be a catalyst for impactful change in drug manufacturing, administration, and distribution in Anambra.
The conference attracted the traditional ruler of Abacha, Igwe Godwin Odiegwu, the State Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr Daniel Onyishi and representatives of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, the Nigeria Police Force and many others.
It featured paper presentations and exhibitions on new drugs and therapy breakthroughs by attending pharmaceutical companies, award presentations and debate competitions among schools which saw Girls Secondary School, Awka emerge victorious after beating other schools that represented the six educational zones in the state.
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