E-drug: Brain drain of pharmacists (cont'd)
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Once an individual has qualified in his professional field of choice,
very little can be done to keep him serving in his country accept a
satisfactory financial package, pleasant conditions of work and
incentive to develop skills whilst in service. In most developing
countries, the above becomes difficult as there are other priorities
that have more importance. The countries that benefit are mainly
the first world countries e.g. England, USA. where the majority of
our pharmacists are emigrating to.
We need to find solutions to the shortage of pharmacists
throughout the world to prevent the type of poaching that presently
occurring.
Countries should developing different categories of staff to play key
roles in the Drug Management cycle, improving access, monitoring
and procurement.
Sooner or later, these trained individuals will be key role players in
health service delivery in most developing countries who have
limited pharmacists to manage their services. Distance supervision
will become the norm. Legislation needs to be formulated to
facilitate this process as is happening in South Africa with regards
to the Pharmacist Assistant.
Rashid
Rashid Khan
Ethekwini Health Services
Durban Metro Council
P.O. Box 2443
Durban, South Africa
E-mail: khanrashid@durban.gov.za
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