Health Minister urged to appoint a new Pharmacy Council

 

Opposition Spokesperson on Health Dr. Morais Guy is calling for Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton to immediately appoint a new Pharmacy Council, as the country has been without one for several months.

 

Dr. Guy says final written assessments of new pharmacists were completed in September, but the process of registration to practice pharmacy in Jamaica can only be done with a Council in place.

 

He says the situation is unfortunate as there is a shortage of pharmacists in both the public and private sectors.

 

According to Dr. Guy, graduates are awaiting completion of a simple administrative procedure to practice in Jamaica. 

 

"We are calling on the minister to expeditiously appoint this council, the board for the council because...there is a severe shortage of pharmacists in the country. We have young people who have graduated, who have student loans to repay, who have their own expenses to deal with, and having sat the examination, are waiting on the council to grant them their licence. Why the delay?" he questioned.