Dispensary association launched

control the conduct of pharmacy assistants in the country.
Officially launching the Association of Pharmacy Assistants after graduation in Harare last Friday, the dean at the school of pharmacy at the University of Zimbabwe, Professor Rangarirai Masanganise said the body would assist pharmacy assistants to be recognised by relevant stakeholders.
“The association among other things is expected to spearhead and assist them seek representation and recognition by various relevant stakeholders like the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Pharmacists Council of Zimbabwe and many other relevant professional bodies or authorities,” Prof Masanganise said.
He said proper representation and recognition would go a long way in broadening career horizons and improve their working conditions.
Speaking on behalf of the newly-launched APA, Mr Clibert Chifamba said dispensary and over the counter assistants represent a critical part of the health care delivery system.
He added that the mandate of the association would be to co-ordinate the practice of pharmacy assistants in line with modern trends through continuous educational campaigns like workshops.
“The association shall seek to address concerns of its members that may arise in the profession, working conditions, salaries, uniforms, working hours among others,” said Mr Chifamba.
He said so far, the association has attra-cted a membership of more than 200 pharmacy assistants.
Mr Chifamba appealed to the pharmacists’ council of Zimbabwe to recognise and register members of the pharmacy assistants association.
“Please in your consideration for our appeal may you take it in mind that for every pharmacy there is one pharmacist and three to four pharmacy assistants.
“It is these that need strict monitoring and screening for us to achieve class A services in dispensing, storing and provision of right medicines to all clients,” said Mr Chifamba.
Turning to the graduation ceremony, Prof Masanganise called on Government and the corporate sector to assist in the construction of lecture rooms and laboratories to enable the school to introduce a variety of programmes in the future.
The graduation saw 130 pharmacy assistants receiving their certificates following the successful completion of a three-month training course at the University of Zimbabwe.
Since last year, 300 pharmacy assistants have so far graduated.