MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN, BAHAMAS PHARMACY COUNCIL

December 23rd, 2012

As the year draws to a close and as Chairman of the Bahamas Pharmacy Council, I would like to assure the Bahamian public that my council takes serious the commitment to secure the highest levels of pharmaceutical care by competent pharmaceutical care providers who practice within agreed standards.

During the past six months, the council has worked to assure that standards were being met in both government and private facilities and that the continuing educational requirements are being met by all of the relative healthcare providers in the industry.

We have also embarked on finding ways to educate the public about the role of the council and the role of pharmacists in general.

I would like to personally thank the members of my team, namely my Deputy, Dr. Marvin Smith, Registrar, Ms. Shelly Collymore, Treasurer, Mrs. Calliope Smith, Attorney, Ms. Paula Adderley, Mr. Carrol Sands, Chairman of the Registration & Licensing Committee, Mr. Stephan Flowers, Chairman of our Complaints Committee and Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis, Chief Medical Officer and ex-officio member.

We are thankful to all the pharmacists who have cooperated with us by maintaining or upgrading their standards of practice, and for their assistance in helping us monitor the use of over the counter medicines which have been subject to abuse by some members of the public.

Thanks to our hardworking inspectors, we have been able to provide a “self-inspection”form for our pharmacists which we believe would go a long way in seeing that each facility is properly prepared for their annual inspections.

I would also like to thank The Bahamas Pharmacy Association and Stephan Flowers (President BPA), who has worked closely with us especially with the organizing of continuing education for pharmacists, The Ministry of Health for their assistance and guidance, the Public Hospital Authority for the role that they have played, along with all of our stakeholders for their contributions in helping us meet our goals.

We encourage pharmacists and technicians, physicians, nurses, other health care providers and the general public to stay updated to our advisories and alerts by visiting our website at www.pharmacycouncil.net and subscribing for regular updates. We are happy to address your queries or complaints and your suggestions are welcome.

The council is currently drafting a manual for pharmacy interns and during the course of the New Year, we seek to continue to expand on the regulations for import and export of pharmaceuticals, among other things.

It is an honor for me to serve, and I am humbled by this experience, especially during a time when there are so many challenges in the industry; not just locally, but worldwide.

Despite the challenges, as pharmacists as health care professionals, as a government and as a nation, we must always remember that there is a higher authority and that there is no problem on earth that heaven cannot solve.

My prayer is that God would give The Pharmacy Council insight to lead with integrity; that our decisions may reflect what is right and good. That he would keep us from shortsightedness and selfish ambitions; That he would help us to make decisions that strive to be for the good of all. I pray that decency, integrity and honesty prevail, and that God would grant us the humility to always seek his will in all that we do.

On behalf of the Members, the Registrar and the Staff of the Bahamas Pharmacy Council, I wish each of you, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.