International conference: Pharmacists want bigger role in drug policy

Speakers suggest for initiating Nationwide Pharmacovigilance programme in hospitals and community pharmacies.

ISLAMABAD:

The three-day 17th international conference on pharmacy and 21st Century concluded here on Saturday, which was attended by around 2,000 scholars, health practitioners and government officials.

As many as 50 research papers were presented by scholars belonging to various countries during the conference, which was held by Pakistan Pharmacist Association (PPA).

PPA President Dr Saeedul Haq called for recognition of pharmacists’ role in health delivery system and stressed on increasing their role in formulating the National Drug Policy.

“The targets set by the Millennium Develop Goals and Health for All cannot be achieved without utilising and establishing the services of pharmacy in the country,” he added.

Speakers also recommended training pharmacists on a regular basis and urged the government to introduce a programme for their capacity building.

They also suggested for initiating Nationwide Pharmacovigilance programme in hospitals and community pharmacies. The organising committees were given shields at the end of the concluding sessions.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2012.