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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Pharmacy Council is a statutory regulatory body established by the Pharmacy Act 1994 (Act 489). It has a legal mandate of securing in the public interest the highest standards in the practice of pharmacy.
It is therefore imperative to ensure that all personnel involved in the provision of pharmaceutical care be trained regularly to meet current trends and challenges in the efficient and appropriate pharmaceutical service delivery.
Personnel in the pharmaceutical service delivery consist of Pharmacists, Dispensing Technologists, Dispensing Technicians, Dispensing Assistants, Dispensing Attendants, Licensed Chemical Sellers and Medicine Counter Assistants. All the above service providers receive some form of training regularly except Pharmacy Medicine Counter Assistants.
The training of pharmacy Medicine Counter Assistants therefore is necessary to enhance optimal pharmacare delivery. This policy covers the role of the Pharmacy Council, special goals, job description, course structure and modules and the accreditation standards for the training institutions.
Accredited training institutions shall be permitted to train Medicine Counter Assistants on approved course structure and modules over a specified period at an approved rate after which the Pharmacy Council shall conduct a final examination for the participants.
A “Medicine Counter Assistant” is a person who has completed the prescribed training equipped to assist other members of the pharmaceutical care team, to provide optimal pharmaceutical care to patients by performing various duties in accordance with the Pharmacy Act, 1994 (Act 489) and any other regulations prescribed by the Pharmacy Council.
- To build a trusted group of qualified auxiliary pharmacy personnel to provide competent, acceptable and ethical methods of handling medications.
- To formalize the career of Medicine Counter Assistants and make them recognised members of the health care team.
To assist members of the pharmaceutical care team in performing various duties under a supervisor. These include:
- Keeping the Pharmacy tidy
- Customer Service.
- Sale of Over- the- Counter medicines (OTC’s) under supervision.
- Assist in Inventory management.
- Clerical task
- Basic Health Education.
- Assist in purchasing.
- Assist in Dispensing.
- Assist in pre-packaging of medication.
- Sorting out of Drugs under supervision.
- Assist in the receipt of money.
- Other duties that may improve efficiency in pharmaceutical care
The minimum qualification shall be “O” Level Certificate or Senior Secondary School Certificate of Education (SSSCE). However person(s) with lower qualification(s) such as Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC) and a minimum of three years working experience in a pharmacy or pharmacy related business may be considered if applicant can still read and write.
There shall be a screening process instituted by the trainers such as interviews, short test or any appropriate means of assessment to help in the selection of prospective trainees.
Training institutions must note that candidates must be of good character, fit (physical and mental) and without any criminal record. However priority may be given to those assistants already on the job.
The Pharmacy Council reserves the right to give accreditation to any institution that applies in the prescribed form and meet laid down accreditation standards and criteria.
All accredited institutions shall be monitored by the Pharmacy Council to ensure that laid down standards are conformed to.
In the event of a Training Institution falling short of laid down standards, the Pharmacy Council shall withdraw/suspend its accreditation, as the case may be, until such time that the institution meets the required standards.
There shall be an accreditation fee payable by all Training Institutions which shall be reviewed from time to time by the Pharmacy Council.
All accredited institutions shall be required to apply for re-accreditation every 3 years.
The Pharmacy Council shall regulate the activities of all Training Institutions to ensure that accepted standards are met.
Promotional activities of Training Institutions shall be subjected to prior screening by the Pharmacy Council to ensure that ethical standards are maintained.
The Pharmacy Council shall regulate the establishment of Training Institutions to ensure accessibility and sustainability.
( Training and Accreditation Standards )
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