The National President of the Pharmacy Technician Association of Ghana (PTAG), Pharmtech Richard Ofosu Addai has lauded the Pharmacy Council for accrediting over 11 schools in the country to run Higher National Diploma dispensing technology programmes.

He said that the move will pave the way for the education of pharmacy technicians to come out and serve the nation.

Mr Addai made the statement at the 14th Annual General Conference of the PTAG at Wa. He found some faults and questioned the effective monitoring of the institutions.

''How effective is the monitoring of these academic institutions in ensuring that the graduates who pass out are of the required education and skills.''

''We have observed over the years that some schools are not admitting students with the required grades and also not following the required educational curriculum. This led to some of the graduates passing out with shallow knowledge in their field of study,'' he stated.

He called on all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the displeasing situation.

The National President of PTAG further stated that pharmacy technicians working in the government sector have taken a bold step by joining hands with colleague pharmacists in the use of one bargaining certificate.

He is of the firm belief that this will go a long way to deepen the relationship between pharmacy technicians and pharmacists in their quest to find better conditions of service for members within the union.

Mr Addai commended the leadership of PTAG and the Government and Hospitals Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) for the teamwork in achieving the feat.

Commenting on the issue of unemployed pharmacy technician graduates, he observed that over the years a number of health institutions, especially private hospitals and pharmacies provided pharmaceutical services to the Ghanaian public without trained practitioners in the field of pregnancy.

He warned, ''It is dangerous and must be looked at critically.''

The National President of PTAG disclosed that leadership seeks to establish an endowment fund that will grow to cater for the needs of members. He revealed that plans are afoot and members will soon see its impact.

On his side, the Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Damien Punguyiri expressed worry over the increasing cases of opioid addiction among some health workers in the country.

''Some have lost their lives and others are now walking vegetables who spend all their earnings on pethidine, tramadol and others,'' he posited.

He called on health workers who are into the practice to desist and help limit access to these harmful drugs to only authorised users.

The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih in a speech read on his behalf by an Assistant Director at the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, James Kunsaana Donkor called for a merger between PTAG and GHOSA and other allied professional groups to enable them fight for better living conditions.

The 14th Annual General Conference of PTAG was held on the theme, 'Patient-centered pharmaceutical care, a tool for sustainable pharmacy practice'.

The four-day conference brought together members of the association from all 16 regions in the country.