Chamber of Pharmacy rolls out 5 year strategic plan

The Ghana National Chamber of Pharmacy has launched a 5-year strategic plan to guide its operation for the next half decade.

The strategy includes government facilitation of the establishment of a National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and bioequivalence centre in the country.

The move is expected to support local production of pharmaceuticals and to strengthen the regulatory structures and access to funds for local manufacturing.

Deputy Trade Minister Michael Okyere Baafi who officially launched the strategy pledged governments support to the chamber says government is already assisting the sector under its CRES Obaatanpa programme.

“Under the Ghana CARES “Obaatan Pa” Programme which includes: upgrading of pharmaceutical companies to achieve WHO Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standard; provision of Management and Technical Assistance to enhance operational efficiency of selected existing Tier 2 pharmaceutical companies; establishment of a Bioequivalence Centre to support the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, he said.

“..the Ghana JET Programme that is being jointly implemented by the Ministry and the FCDO, the following is being undertaken: Finalising the Draft Policy and Incentive Framework for the Pharmaceutical Industry; and Establishment of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Facility.”

The 5-year strategy among others emphasises the need for community Pharmacies to be seen as the first point of call for COVID – 19 vaccinations.

The strategic theme for the launch of the Plan was “The Pharmaceutical Industry, a critical national asset in a pre and post Covid-19 era"

The plan which spans from 2022-2026 also outlines GNCoP among others seeks to grow the value chain in local pharmaceutical manufacturing (from the basic/small scale level to cGMP/WHO prequalified level).

It also seeks to improve the contribution of pharmaceutical imports to ensure comprehensive drug availability, affordability, and access at all levels of pharmaceutical care.

The occasion was used to swear in 19 members of GNCoP by Justice Charles Ekow Baiden, a Justice of the High Court as National Executive Council members for the next 5 years.

The event was attended by Associate Members of the Chamber, Embassies and High Commissioners or representatives, Ministries and its Agencies, Financial Institutions, Partners, the media, and the Captains and Stakeholders from the Pharmaceutical Sector.