Tanzania seeks to boost public understanding of safe pharmacy services

By Special Correspondent 

Despite ongoing efforts to strengthen the country's health sector, a large proportion of Tanzanians still lack adequate awareness of proper pharmacy services and the safe use of medicines.

In Tanzania, the public also continues to have limited understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Pharmacy Council, including among journalists and editors, a situation that has prompted the Council's leadership to take deliberate action.

The Pharmacy Council organized a one-day seminar for journalists and editors from various media outlets in Dar es Salaam to provide a comprehensive understanding of its role in protecting public health.

Speaking during the opening of the seminar, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council, Pharmacist Boniface Magige, said the seminar was organized because there is still a significant knowledge gap among members of the public, including some journalists.

He emphasized that, in response to this situation, the Council saw the need to build the capacity of journalists so that they can accurately report on pharmacy services, the proper use of medicines, and the laws governing the pharmacy sector.

He said the Council believes that journalists serve as an important link between public institutions and citizens.

Furthermore, through accurate information disseminated by the media, the public can acquire the knowledge they need about the safe use of medicines and pharmacy services.

According to the Council, it is a government institution under the Ministry of Health, established in 2011 under the Pharmacy Act, Chapter 219.

The Pharmacy Council has a number of responsibilities, including regulating the pharmacy profession and ensuring that pharmacy services are delivered in accordance with the law, regulations, guidelines, and professional standards.

However, the Council noted that many Tanzanians are still unaware of its mandate to protect public health through the regulation of pharmacy professionals, pharmacies, pharmacy services, and the proper use of medicines.

It stated that this lack of awareness may contribute to the spread of misinformation about medicines, as well as their inappropriate use.

The Council pledged to continue working closely with the media to ensure that information related to the pharmacy sector reaches the public accurately, promptly, and through credible sources.

The Pharmacy Council also urged journalists to continue upholding professionalism and ethical standards by verifying information before publishing or broadcasting it.

Registrar of the Council, Pharmacist Magige, said this approach will help build a society with a better understanding of healthcare services and the proper use of medicines, ultimately contributing to improved public health.

At different moments during the seminar, participants commended the Pharmacy Council for organizing the event, saying it had equipped them with valuable knowledge that will help them produce high-quality content aimed at educating the public.

"This is an important step in strengthening the relationship between journalists, editors, and the Pharmacy Council because together we will speak with one voice to serve our community by providing accurate, timely, and comprehensive information."

These remarks were made by the Deputy CEO of the Dar es Salaam Press Club, Veronica Mrema, while speaking on behalf of all participants.

"As a group, we communicate with large segments of the public through our media platforms. Among us are professionals working in radio, television, newspapers, and online media.

"When you equip one journalist with the right knowledge, it means that journalist will go on to share that knowledge with a much larger audience that follows the media outlet they serve.

"You have done a commendable job by engaging with us, and we are committed to serving the public with greater professionalism and efficiency," she said.