Patients worried over closure of hospital pharmacies

The worries of patients in government hospitals are far from over, as they go through difficulty accessing drugs.

The situation has been created by the continued strike by pharmacists, weeks after doctors returned from a similar action.

Healthcare seekers were denied total medical care when the two professional bodies laid down their tools over single spine issues.

With the return of the doctors the problem is only half solved because patients take prescriptions and look for the drugs elsewhere.

The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) has been on strike for several weeks demanding implementation of a ruling by the National Labour Commission (NLC) on their conversion difference and grading structure.

A visit to the Komfo Anokye Hospital in Kumasi reveals the pharmacies at both the main section and the polyclinic remain closed to the public.

Though many patients are registered for health insurance, they have had to buy at high prices, and pay up-front from private pharmacies.

Some patients who spoke to Luv News indicate besides the high prices, they have to walk long distances from shop to shop to get drugs to buy.

They are calling on government to resolve the impasse with the striking pharmacists to enable them return to work.

Meanwhile, private pharmacists in the metropolis say they have recorded an increase in sales in recent times as their colleagues in public facilities stay out of work.

Some pharmacy shop owners explained patronage of their services has shot up as high number of patients with prescriptions seek alternative source for medication.

The private pharmacists have also joined in calls for speedy resolution of the impasse in the interest of patients.

The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission will be in court on Wednesday June 12, 2013 seeking a stay of execution of the NLC ruling.

A spokesperson for the GHOSPA, Courage Danku, told Luv News the Association is also cooperating with a cabinet sub-committee looking into their grievances.