September 3, 2004
By Anish Abraham
JOHANNESBURG will hold its annual Pharmacy Week from 7 to 14 September, with this year's theme being 'You and Your Pharmacist - An Empowering Partnership'.
The week-long campaign - now into its third year - is held by the City of Johannesburg in partnership with the national and provincial departments of health and the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa.
The campaign is aimed at empowering consumers to get value for money from the medicines they purchase along with ensuring optimum results from their use.
'You and Your Pharmacist - An Empowering Partnership' is a follow-up to last year's successful campaign 'Pharmacy - Making Medicine Work For You'.
"This Pharmacy Week will be even better than the previous one," maintained Vusi Mazibuko, head of Johannesburg's pharmaceutical services in the health department.
The aim of Pharmacy Week is to educate the public on their rights with a particular focus on obtaining advice from pharmacists and information on alternative options or more affordable medicines.
Pharmacy Week coincides with the official release on Monday, 6 September, of the revised National Essential Drugs List by the minister of health, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.
Essential drugs, according to the department of health, "are those that satisfy the needs of the majority of the population and should therefore be available at all times, in adequate amounts, and in the appropriate dosage forms".
The drugs list, based on World Health Organisation guidelines, is a key part of the National Drug Policy, which is aimed at transforming health care in South Africa. Listed medicines have to be available at all primary health-care facilities.
During Pharmacy Week, brochures with information relating to various issues will be freely available at all clinics and hospitals in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa and several other national languages.
The material distributed also will inform the public on the proper use of medicine, how to ensure the best treatment results as well as developing a more open relationship with their pharmacists.
Patients are also warned not to accept medicines from friends and relatives, which could be dangerous, and to inform their pharmacist about any current medical conditions or ailments.
"The City will also advertise the campaign on local community radio stations as well as in local newspapers," said Mazibuko.
For more information, contact Vusi Mazibuko on 011 4076799 or visit your nearest clinic.
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