The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) has cautioned heads of health facilities against what it says are ‘subtle threats” against striking members. The public pharmacists have been on strike over their market premium and implementation of a ruling by the National Labour Commission (NLC) on their conversion difference and grading structure under the Single Spine Salary Structure. Regional representatives of the Association at a forum in Kumasi stated they will resist any attempt to sabotage the welfare of individual pharmacist or pharmacy technician “who have been short-changed by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC)”. “No CEO of any teaching hospital or any hospital management will be allowed to stand in our way to press home our demand for the full implementation of NLC’s ruling on our grade structure,” said Spokesperson, Patrick Kumi. The Association says members remain resolute to stay out of work until the FWSC complies with the NLC directive. Government expected the pharmacists to resume work as the Health Ministry sets up a committee to handle their grievances. But GHOSPA has registered its displeasure with the way government has chosen to address their concerns. According to the Association, the inaugurated Committee “is not a Cabinet Sub-Committee as earlier proposed by the Minister of Health and the Chief of Staff”. “Its outcome could be deemed a political interference and could undermine the very institutions of state we want to see function independently and objectively” it said. Mr. Kumi says the pharmacists will not relent in their quest for justice, fairness and equity on the SSSS implementation. “We are on strike because of impunity on the part of the FWSC… We are telling the whole country that we are not going back to work until pharmacists are placed on the appropriate salary levels and that, the consequences thereof should be laid at the doorstep of government and its FWSC”, he said.