Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation of Ghana held its 2024 Annual Conference in UHAS

The Pharmaceutical Students Federation of Ghana held its annual 5-day general conference under the theme “Every Drug Matters: Ensuring Safe Medication Use for All” at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) from Wednesday, October 9 to Sunday, October 13, 2024.

The Chairperson for this year’s conference, Professor Kwame Ohene Buabeng, a distinguished clinical pharmacologist and the current Dean of the School of Pharmacy, UHAS opened the conference by welcoming participants from various sister universities.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. Samuel Kow Donkoh, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, emphasized the vital role pharmacists play in educating individuals against self-medication and the responsible use of antibiotics.

Dr. Yvonne Esseku Yirenkyiwaa, Rector of the Ghana College of Pharmacists, in her address highlighted the importance of continuous learning and urged both students and practitioners to stay updated with the latest information on the field. She stressed on the fact that pharmacists are essential in ensuring the safety of medication.

The Keynote Speaker, Dr. John Allotey, addressed the significance of effective patient interactions. He advocated for the development of skills such as emotional intelligence, communication and active listening. Dr. Allotey also emphasized the qualities of a good leader as someone who empowers others, who is decisive and possesses integrity. He ended his speech by saying “impact is immortality.”

Dr. Mrs. Akua O. Amartey from the Food and Drugs Authority addressed the shared responsibility of ensuring drug safety among pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and patients. She underscored the importance of reporting adverse drug reactions and ineffective medications.

In recognition of World Mental Health Day, Dr. Thelma Mpoku Alalbila spoke on the theme “Mental Health at the Workplace”. She highlighted the significance of mental well-being in professional settings.

The conference, among others, offered participants the opportunity to socialize, network and foster a sense of community of future pharmacy professionals. Some participants interviewed after the 5-day conference said they were inspired and equipped with knowledge and a renewed commitment to safe medication practices.

The conference participating universities were University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University for Development Studies (UDS), Central University (CU) and Entrance University College of Health Sciences (EUCHS).