To improve the efficiency and quality of health services in line with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) 2030 agenda, the Ghana Health Service, with support from WHO Ghana, has rolled out the 2nd Edition of the “Standards and Practice Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Services (SPGPS).” This initiative aims to make quality healthcare, including pharmaceutical services, accessible to all.

In his keynote address, the Director-General, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, highlighted the Service’s commitment to innovative approaches for expanding access to essential healthcare. He emphasized that the updated guidelines reflect current policies and healthcare delivery standards, underscoring the Service’s dedication to elevating healthcare accessibility and quality across Ghana. Dr. Kuma-Aboagye noted that the rollout will improve patient outcomes, enhance safety, streamline NHIS claims related to medicines, and facilitate better integration of clinical pharmacy into institutional care. It will also support pharmaceutical services within the recently launched Network of Practice facilities.

Dr. Angela Ackon, speaking on behalf of WHO Country Representative Dr. Frank Lule, expressed WHO’s strong support for the SPGPS rollout as a significant step toward achieving UHC by 2030.

“This rollout is essential as it targets improved health outcomes through the standardization and harmonization of pharmaceutical services,” Dr. Ackon remarked, adding that WHO anticipates the guidelines will reach facilities nationwide, improving patient care and health commodity security. She reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting Ghana in delivering quality health services aligned with UHC goals.

 

The Director for Pharmaceutical Services at Ghana Health Service, Dr. Dominic Otchere, acknowledged the substantial progress in pharmaceutical services while addressing ongoing challenges, such as shortages of essential medicines, inappropriate medication use, and patient safety risks due to substandard and falsified products. Dr. Otchere emphasized that the SPGPS rollout marks a pivotal milestone in addressing these issues and strengthening Ghana’s trajectory towards UHC by 2030, where access to essential medicines serves as a critical measure of success.

Dr. Otchere recommended integrating selected SPGPS modules into the Ghana Health Service Institute (GHIS) curriculum, incorporating the document’s core elements into the Pharmacy Council’s Continuous Professional Development programs, and prioritizing recruitment of pharmaceutical staff, including pharmacists and technicians, to ensure effective implementation.

The national roll-out event, part of a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop, convened chief pharmacists and selected pharmacists from across the country to equip them with the skills to implement the SPGPS guidelines nationwide.

SOURCE: PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT