Library Photo: Doctor
Kojo Okyere Apenteng, Western regional chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSG), has bemoaned the fact that diabetes and hypertension are currently the underlying causes of death in the country.
He attributed the situation partly to self-medication and the abuse of drugs among patients of the two chronic diseases.
To this end, he indicated that members of the PSG in the region are poised to educate the public on how and when their drugs should be taken to avoid wrong medication.
As part of activities marking World Pharmacists Day in the Western Region yesterday, members of the society stormed Kokompe, a densely populated community in Takoradi, to educate the people on the proper ways of taking drugs and conducted medical screening.
The World Pharmaceutical Day fell on September 25, this year. However, the regional branch of the PSG celebrated the day yesterday.
The day is set aside, to among other things, educate the public on the useful and varied roles of the pharmacist in healthcare delivery.
The celebration was on the theme: ‘Pharmacist, Your Partner In Health’.
The residents in the area, mostly mechanics and artisans, were screened for their sugar, cholesterol levels and that of blood pressure (BP).
“We have decided to move from shop to shop in Kokompe here to educate the people on proper medication because their job is such a way that they hardly move out when they enter their shops,” he added.
“Because the mechanics normally don’t visit hospitals, there is the tendency for them to abuse medication,” Mr Apenteng stressed.
He implored the residents not to wait until they get sick before they visit health facilities.
The PSG Western regional chairman stated that “if the people will be healthy, it depends largely on the medication they take, when and how they take it. If you don’t get the right information about the usage of a drug, you will be taking it wrongly.”
He called on the public not to hesitate to visit the health professionals when the need arises, adding, “Pharmacists are your partners in health.”
