The Government will introduce a one-year training programme on pharmaceutical studies for Form IV leavers as a strategy of reducing the current shortage of pharmacists.
A pharmacist picks drugs to dispense
The ambitious programme targets to bridge a serious gap the country is experiencing in pharmacist cadre by ensuring all dispensaries are served with qualified drug dispensers.
The Coordinator of the Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets (ADDOs) Programme which is under the National Pharmacy Council, Mr Richard Silumbe, said there was serious shortage of pharmacists in public health facilities.
“We are preparing a programme where Form IV leavers with just a pass (D) in Chemistry or Biology will be admitted for one year training programme and finally graduate as Pharmacy Assistants. We have already finalised the programme’s curriculum,” he said. He could not say when training would commence since some other logistics were still being prepared including teaching manuals.
According to Mr Silumbe, the government had earlier set admission criteria for students who wish to pursue basic pharmacy skills in medical colleges but the Pharmacy Council came to realise the criteria were too tough to save the purpose of the day.
Under ADDO programme, he said, it is planned that all dispensaries both public and private owned must be served with personnel with at least basic skills in drug dispensing as opposed to the current situation.
Under the current arrangement, it is desired that at least every village in the country should have five to ten qualified pharmacy assistants to serve in dispensaries, but the existing tough admission conditions are hampering the plan.
So far, according to Mr Silumbe, countrywide, ADDO has registered about 13,509 pharmacy assistants which is just a drop in an ocean compared to the demand.
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA, Tanzania Daily News