FIP Country Case Studies Summit underway in Accra

A country case studies Mini Summit under the auspices of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is underway in Accra.

FIP, a global organisation of national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists is organising the summit under its Education Initiatives.

The two-day Summit attracted participants from Ghana, Nigeria, Namibia, Uganda, Zambia and the FIP, who would discuss the framework of providing an opportunity to develop sustainable and significant working partnerships between African leaders in Education and Development.

Another goal of the meeting is to introduce the FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN (University Twinning and Networking Programme) co-operation to pharmacy leaders in Africa and seek opportunities for developing advanced pharmacy practice within the African context.

The summit also aims to translate the FIP Education Initiatives Strategic Plan and associated proposals towards actions and outcomes within the African context.

This will include the FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN network (Global Pharmacy Education Development network).

Professor Mahama Duwiejua, the Ghanaian FIP Representative, who hosted the Summit said the objectives of the meeting include the discussion of a working relationships to be formed around common areas of interest, within the context of African and Global Leadership values.

He said participants would examine how the UNITWIN mechanism can be best used to promote Leadership and Excellence in professional education development, outline specific projects to support and move the aim and vision of the Summit.

They will also outline a business plan that would support a sustainable and useful partnership with FIP and advocacy, communications and management for any partnership or programme developed by the Summit.

Mr Joseph Nyoagbe, Registrar of Ghana Pharmacy Council said the country promulgated a law in 2011 for the establishment of a Specialist Health Training School for pharmacists.

He said Ghana was looking forward to drivers of change in pharmacy education, population and community needs as well as changing the practice, standards and philosophy.

Prof. Ian Bates, FIP Education Development Team Director lauded Ghana for taking the lead to establish a College as a centre of excellence for the training of pharmacists and expressed the need for the participants to chart the way forward to improve upon pharmacy practice worldwide.

FIP, through its 127 member organisations, represents and serves more than three million practitioners and scientists around the world.

It collaborates with the WHO and UNESCO as well as several other notable organisations.

FIP's priorities have expanded both literally and figuratively to meet the needs and expectations of the profession in expanding pharmaceutical healthcare services and integrating emerging scientific developments in medicines and medicines use.

Changes in pharmacy and the emergence of Pharmacy Practice as a cornerstone of the profession have led FIP to become globally visible for its advocacy on behalf of the role of the pharmacist in the provision of healthcare, while still maintaining its grounding in the pharmaceutical sciences.