Pharmacy Week 2011 Towards Quality Care Together

Lorraine Osman

Vice-President: South African Pharmacy CouncilHead of Public Affairs: Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa

9 September 2011

Partners

• National Department of Health• South African Pharmacy Council• Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa• USAID• SPS (Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems)

Why the theme?

• NDoH strategic priorities

• Recent focus on quality– National core standards for

healthcare facilities– OHSC– Patient’s Rights Charter

• Teamwork – rights + responsibilities

The pharmacist’s responsibilityAs pharmacists we have a responsibility to: •Provide good quality medicine•Make sure medicines are available•Provide information about health and medicine •Protect your privacy•Help you to prevent harmful effects from your medicine •Help you get the best results from your medicine

The patient’s responsibility

As a patient you have a responsibility to:•Talk about your medicine•Ask questions about your medicine •Know your medicine•Use your medicine as directed•Avoid wasting medicine •Tell us about your experience

Quality pharmacy service means:

• Medicines that you need are available• You get the medicine that is the best choice for you• Care is taken to prevent your medicine from harming

you• You can talk about your medicines and ask questions• Your privacy is protected• You are able to give feedback on your experience

Posters and flyers

English Afrikaans Zulu

Sepedi Tsonga Venda

Sesotho Setswana Xhosa

So what happened?

• It depends on the individual pharmacist!• SAPC and PSSA – media statements and

interviews• SAPC – newspaper advertisements• City of Tshwane launch

Every week should be Pharmacy Week!