Integrate pharmacists into patient management teams – AHAPN

The Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) says it’s totally disappointed that some health institutions in Nigeria are yet to integrate pharmacists into their patient management teams.

The association hence informed such healthcare institutions to set in motion the movement that they take care of the situation, adding also that such has become the gold standard of practice of pharmacy all over the world.

In a communique after its 22nd Annual National Scientific Conference at De-Peace Hotel & Suites, Ilorin, Kwara State, AHAPN commended the Board of Management of University College Hospital, Ibadan for being a trailblazer in the implementation of the circular and called on all other hospitals in Nigeria to emulate University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and commence implementation without further delay.

The conference, with the theme “Advancing Technological Revolution in Pharmaceutical Service Delivery,” also featured a keynote address delivered by Prof. Patrick Omonua Erah, a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, University of Benin, Edo state.

In the communique signed by Dr. Kingsley Amibor and Dr. Hafiz Akande, National Chairman and National Secretary respectively, AHAPN stated: “Conference reaffirmed the indispensability concept of the Pharmacist as an integral member of the healthcare team crucial to the delivery of quality healthcare to patients in Nigeria.

“It submitted that the integration of Pharmacists into the patient management team in a collaborative practice with clinicians in some practice settings in Nigeria has reduced preventable adverse drug events and saved the cost of healthcare to patients.

“Conference acknowledged the global trends in the evolution of Pharmacy practice which now includes the provision of expert and specialized services such as Pharmaceutical care, radiotherapy, effective medication therapy management and specialized pharmacotherapy for disease conditions, specialized critical care, oncology Pharmacy practice, Pharmaco-vigilance and adverse drug reporting and critical aspects of Pharmaceutical care such as patient counselling and medication audits and submitted that the foregoing areas remain advanced and required expert and specialist skills to effectively drive their practice.