Limpho Sello
MINISTRY of Health Acting Principal Secretary ‘Mamoruti Tiheli says pharmacists are unsung heroes in the health delivery system since they play a major role in maintaining the health and wellbeing of Basotho.
Ms Tiheli made the remarks on Tuesday during the launch of Pharmacy Week commemorations in Maseru. The commemorations are spearheaded by the Ministry of Health through its Medicine Regulation Department and will continue until Saturday.
Held under the theme “Pharmacy Care for the Young Generation” the celebrations willinclude community outreach campaigns targeting young people at orphanages, schools and malls.
Ms Tiheli said pharmacists complement the work of doctors and nurses in helping people to achieve and maintain their health. She said pharmacists play a vital role since theyare required to dispense the correct dosages of the prescribed medication to avoid potentially fatal errors.
“We don’t let anybody from the streetdispense medication. We need professionals who are trained for the job,” MsTiheli said.
“While nurses play an important role at health centres, they are not pharmacists. Pharmacists need to be available at health centres to do their job of dispensing medicine.”
Ms Tiheli said pharmacists should protect their profession from unqualified people who are putting the lives of innocent people at risk by dispensing medicine.
