The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has organised a day workshop for students of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences of University of Cape Coast on patients’ safety. Other participants were drawn from the School of Nursing and Midwifery as well as the School of Medical Sciences UCC. The programme, which was organised by the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SoPPS), was on the topic, "Ensuring Patient Safety: The role of Professionals." 

The Head of the Department of Safety Monitoring at FDA Accra, Mr. George Sabblah, underlined the need for students to report appropriately on Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and any other related reaction cases to the FDA for immediate attention. He told the students not to conceal any adverse drug reactions from their colleagues at their health facilities in future in order not to jeopardise the safety of clients. Mr. Sabblah pointed out that public safety was the topmost priority of FDA hence; participants should understand and appreciate pharmacovigilance and ADRs. 

He also expressed the commitment of FDA to combat counterfeit medicines on the Ghanaian market through its frequent market surveillance to sample drugs and their efficacy. He, therefore, asked medical practitioners to assist the FDA to help protect the nation’s drug supply.

The Vice-Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Robert Peter Biney, on his part, said pharmaceutical care was patient-centred, which required pharmacists to work with patients and healthcare providers to promote health, prevent diseases and modify medication use to ensure that drug therapy regimens were safe and effective.

He, therefore, urged pharmacists to intensify their education to enlighten the public on substandard medicines, among other health concerns.