The PSN-YPG State Coordinator for Lagos State, Pharm. (Miss) Bukunola Ogundele, has identified some unfavourable government policies, inadequate funding, as clog in the wheel of progress of the state chapter of the group.
Speaking on the association’s activities towards the commemoration of World Pharmacists Day (WPD)2022, which is usually celebrated on every 25 September, she noted major challenges facing young pharmacists in the state to include: government policies that negatively affect pharmacists’ remuneration, internship or job opportunities, and ease of integration into pharmacy practice post-graduation.
Ogundele, in an exclusive interview with Pharmanewsonline, gave an insight into the plans, innovations and future advancement of the association in line with the #WPD2022.
She said the theme for this year’s WPD is – “Pharmacy united in action for a healthier world”, showcases pharmacy’s positive impact on health around the world and to further strengthen solidarity among the profession.
On government policies, she stated that “Many young pharmacists are willing to explore new grounds in the profession, innovate and bring out better ways we can properly advance the health outcomes of patients but money is a basic tool in all of these processes as well as some policies that won't let some ideas fly.
“Some of these policies affecting us are: remuneration and salary, internship or job opportunities and ease of integration into the labor/professional practice post-graduation”.
In line with the theme of the WPD 2022, Ogundele said the association held a Twitter Space Chat on the 24 September in collaboration with Emzor Pharmaceuticals.
When asked about the unity of the association in order to advance the course of the profession, she said, “As an association, we have constantly made our members to see how every arm of the profession matters and how everyone will need to pay attention to their own part to ensure that other arms of the body are not affected. Hence, attention to professional development for specific areas/career paths in the profession has been a constant, so we have solid skillsets to collaborate and advance the profession.
“These includes: Advocacy, Pharmacy profession awareness campaign, trainings & webinar: soft skills, vaccination, tech, management and mentorship.”
The association’s chairperson also listed community outreaches (market, rural areas), social media awareness campaigns and post-school trainings on disease management as some of the innovations on board to better the lot of the patients.
She further revealed that “Trainings on disease management in collaboration with companies like Sanofi, Emzor, Fidson, Pharmysmbiosis and so on, will be initiated in order to further equip young pharmacists with skills to manage patients in community settings.
“This will be done through multimedia campaign and awareness on TV, radio and even newspapers. We have a lot coming this October – TVC, Rave TV, Vida Stream, NTA.”
The purpose of WPD which was brought to life at the FIP Council 2009 in Istanbul, is to encourage activities that promote and advocate for the role of the pharmacists in improving health in every corner of the world.
 Lagos State Chapter, Pharm. (Miss) Bukunola Ogundele, has identified some unfavourable){kind=link}