PRC okays inoculation training for pharmacists

THE Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy has accredited the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPHA) to train and certify local pharmacists to administer Covid-19 vaccines and other vaccines to adults as the government steps up its inoculation program.

A news statement said the utilization of pharmacists would be made possible through the PPHA Immunizing Pharmacist Certification Program.

The PRC statement cited that under Section 4, Article I of R A 10918, a person practicing pharmacy can administer adult vaccines as approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), provided that they shall undergo the training on the safe administration of adult vaccines and management of Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) for pharmacists and hold a certificate of training issued by an institution duly accredited by the PRC.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire welcomed the training program, noting that the government will be ramping up its Covid-19 vaccination program in the coming months.

“We are expecting a greater demand for the human resources for health who will be administering the vaccines. We thank the Philippine Pharmacists Association for their initiatives and assistance during these challenging times,” Vergeire said.

She added that as a long-time partner of the Department of Health (DOH) in advocating better health outcomes, they are looking forward to the accreditation of the PPHA as a training provider for pharmacists.

“These collaborations with professional societies are instrumental to bringing an end to this pandemic,” the DOH official said.

For her part, PPHA President Maria Gilda Sebua-saljay, vowed to continue to collaborate closely with fellow health-care professionals in ensuring safe and effective vaccinations “as we work towards the full recovery of the Philippines.”