The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed the Pharmacy Council to change the system for issuing pharmacy licenses in Ghana.
The directive will end the current distance-based licensing system. Under the new policy, pharmacy licenses will be based on population size.
The Minister said the old system, which focused on how close pharmacies are to one another, no longer meets Ghana’s healthcare needs.
He explained that the population-based approach will ensure fair access to medicines. It will also help improve services in underserved and rural communities.
The Minister made these remarks at a two-day Expanded Stakeholders Retreat.
The policy change forms part of Ghana’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage. It is expected to improve the distribution of pharmacies across the country and strengthen access to healthcare for all citizens.
