Our role is to empower clients to be vigilant with their health
HAVING I N mind the theme for the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica (PSJ) 2021 Pharmacy Week, November 20-26, 2021: ‘ Pharmacists: Promoting excellence, empowering the nation’, I acknowledge the continued efforts of the society to be supporters of improved health outcomes across the nation of Jamaica and, by extension, across the Commonwealth.
The University of the West Indies, Mona, Doctor of Pharmacy Programme embarked on a path to expand the academic offerings in Jamaica to an Entry Level Doctor of Pharmacy Programme, the first and only such in the Caribbean. We are especially excited this year as our first entry level cohort graduated on November 5. We applaud the efforts of the students who remain dedicated to completing the task to become leaders in the field of clinical pharmacy. Like the PSJ and its membership, the Doctor of Pharmacy programme is continually promoting excellence in the practice of pharmacy, expanding the roles that pharmacists play and ensuring our students fulfil the requirements of the profession by remaining steadfast in improving and updating their knowledge.
During this COVID-19 pandemic, the PSJ, through continuous public relation campaigns and trainings, has ensured that its membership is ready, qualified and certified to offer immunisation services to the people of Jamaica, once approved by the Government. Its drive to support our nation through the COVID-19 community awareness panel discussion, where necessary and valid information was shared with the nation, deserves our commendation. Its membership has also expanded counselling services by hosting online sessions for patients and providing tips on various diseases and related therapies to empower their patients/clients and, by extension, the nation. I encourage my colleagues to continue to be tenacious and resilient during this time and support the communities in which you are located. I wish wholeheartedly to applaud the PSJ for its renewed drive to offer excellence in service and educate Jamaicans and the wider region about the recommended and prescribed pharmaceuticals and conditions they manage.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage our nation and the rest of the world, over t he past 20 months, pharmacies have remained open to serve their clients even in the face of danger. Our delivery of care offers the first line of contact with most patients trying to care for their families, neighbours and friends. Pharmacists continue to be the front runners of the healthcare system in Jamaica with pharmacy practice being an essential service that ensures access to basic healthcare needs. The profession of pharmacy is one of the most trusted in the world and so it goes without saying that our clients know that their trust in us will be preserved.
Our role is to continually empower our clients to be vigilant with their health, to always adhere to their prescribed medications, as their health is their wealth. We will endeavour to continue to provide excellence in the quality of our service, be understanding and empathetic. We urge our clients to continue to uphold the COVID-19 protocols issued by our Government and keep safe.
Congratulations to the PSJ as you keep progressing and encouraging all pharmacists to stay connected with our vulnerable patients, look out for the underserved within our communities, relieve the fears of vaccine hesitancy, and honour our Code of Ethics, even in these changing times. As pharmacists, the way we practise must embrace the everchanging landscape of our profession through excellence, while empowering the nation to improve the state of their health and well-being.