NAN-HG-9
By Felicia Imohimi
Research
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2017 (NAN) West Africa Postgraduate College of Pharmacists on Friday urged pharmacists to devote time and resource on research to gain recognition and impact positively on the health sector.
Chairman of the college’s Nigeria chapter, Mr Chijioke Onyia, made the call at an International Workshop organised by the college in Abuja, with the theme: “Point of Care Testing Documentation of Pharmaceutical Care Interventions.’’
Delivering a paper on the theme, Onyia said that pharmacists could only excel in the profession when they prioritised research.
He explained that through research, pharmacists would be able to carry out proper point-of-care testing and documentation and as well utilise the data acquired accurately while treating patients.
He said that this would enable them to add value to the system and be relevant when decisions geared toward improving healthcare sector were made.
Onyia also said that without research one would be ignorant of a lot of innovations that would enable him to gain relevance in the system.
He, however, urged the practitioners to deviate from their usual way of over-the-counter drug dispensing and do things differently, saying that any other person could dispense drug.
“This will determine your value in the health system as it is more enduring, sustainable and more respectful.
“You have to think of innovations that will make your patients have confidence in you as well as others in the medical field in such a way that they cannot make any meaningful decisions without your input.
“The job of a pharmacist has gone beyond drug dispensing; his job has transcended to engagement of the patient,’’ Onyia said.
He emphasised that research documentation and utilisation of data were the only ways pharmacists could gain recognition without cutting corners.
“As fellows, we are expected as much as possible to research in whatever form, whatever area and whatever manner that we practice.
“We are expected to share such data and information we gathered among relevant persons.
“The best recognition and most enduring recognition is that one you earn which is more enduring and most respected and any need for courtesy is equal to the value you bring into the health system.
“This value will be more enduring, sustainable and more respectful,’’ Onyia said. (NAN)
FUA/NNO/OPI