Public Health Advocacy
- Pharmaceutical Society of Papua New Guinea
- Public Health Advocacy
Advocating for Pharmacy as an Essential Healthcare Profession
PSPNG works relentlessly to promote pharmacists’ critical role in the healthcare system, particularly in increasing access to medications, improving patient care, and promoting public health campaigns. Our activities are aimed at ensuring that pharmacy services are incorporated into the national health policy and recognized as critical to providing safe, high-quality healthcare.
Collaboration with National Department of Health (NDoH)
PSPNG maintains a strong relationship with the National Department of Health (NDoH) to establish healthcare policies, laws, and standards that affect pharmacy practice. We seek to ensure that pharmacists have a voice in determining the national healthcare agenda, which includes topics such as drug legislation, pharmaceutical safety, and public health programs.
Promoting Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
PSPNG promotes Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs for pharmacists to improve their knowledge and abilities, ensuring high standards of practice. PSPNG promotes lifelong learning through CPD activities and guarantees that pharmacists stay current on emerging healthcare practices such as new drugs, technology, and therapeutic recommendations.
Supporting Pharmacy Education, Training, and Curriculum Review
PSPNG promotes enhanced pharmacist education and training programs. We collaborate with academic institutions, including the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), to provide pharmacy students with in-depth education that prepares them for modern pharmacy practice. PSPNG collaborates with UPNG Discipline of Pharmacy to revise the pharmacy curriculum to conform with global standards and meet the increasing healthcare requirements in PNG. This involves advocating for the integration of new methods for therapy, technological advancements, and patient care models within the curriculum.
Lobbying for Pharmacy Licensing and Regulation
SPNG promotes clear and effective regulation of pharmacy profession in PNG. We collaborated with the Pharmacy Board of PNG to preserve professional standards and make pharmacy licensure criteria transparent, fair, and consistent with international norms. PSPNG advocates for continuing professional development (CPD) as a requirement for pharmacist license renewal to ensure ongoing competency.
Raising Public Awareness on Medication Safety & Antimicrobial Resistance
PSPNG’s advocacy efforts include promoting pharmaceutical safety to the public. We seek to promote awareness regarding the correct use of medications, the dangers of self-medication, and the significance of following prescribed drug regimens. PSPNG also supports initiatives that attempt to prevent medicine usage and abuse, such as educating the public about the dangers of counterfeit and inferior pharmaceuticals.
Advocacy for Pharmacists' Role in Disease Management
PSPNG is dedicated to promoting the role of pharmacists in illness prevention and management. Pharmacists play a crucial role in addressing infectious illnesses including malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS, and cancer. They handle medications, educate patients, and contribute to public health programs. PSPNG assisted a member in attending the Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) Training, specifically on Sterile Product Preparation, presented by the FAPA Foundation in August. This was significant since the member was the only oncology pharmacist in PNG and required this exposure and training.
International Collaboration and Recognition
PSPNG works to improve the profile of the pharmacy profession in PNG on an international level. PSPNG’s affiliations with international pharmacy organizations, including the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), provide pharmacists in PNG with access to global networks, best practices, and collaboration opportunities. Last month, seven members of the PSPNG attended the 59th FAPA Congress in Seoul, South Korea. PSPNG assisted a member in attending the Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) Training, specifically on Sterile Product Preparation, presented by the FAPA Foundation in August. This was significant since the member was the only oncology pharmacist in PNG and required this exposure and training.
Advocacy for Pharmacy Legislation and Reforms
PSPNG advocates for legislative reforms that support the growth and development of the pharmacy profession in PNG. This includes promoting policies that expand the scope of pharmacy practice, such as allowing pharmacists to provide services beyond medication dispensing, such as immunization and health screening, where appropriate. PSPNG also supports the expansion of pharmacists’ roles in primary healthcare settings.
Our Advocacy Approach
- Policy Development
- Engaging with policymakers to create supportive legislation and regulations for pharmacy practice.
- Public Campaigns
- Raising public awareness about the role of pharmacists in healthcare.
- Engagement with Stakeholders
- Collaborating with government bodies, healthcare professionals, and other organizations to promote the pharmacy profession.
- Representation
- Acting as the voice of pharmacists in national and international forums, ensuring that their interests are represented in key discussions related to healthcare policy.
Advocating for Pharmacy as an Essential Healthcare Profession
PSPNG works relentlessly to promote pharmacists' critical role in the healthcare system, particularly in increasing access to medications, improving patient care, and promoting public health campaigns. Our activities are aimed at ensuring that pharmacy services are incorporated into the national health policy and recognized as critical to providing safe, high-quality healthcare.
Collaboration with National Department of Health (NDoH)
PSPNG maintains a strong relationship with the National Department of Health (NDoH) to establish healthcare policies, laws, and standards that affect pharmacy practice. We seek to ensure that pharmacists have a voice in determining the national healthcare agenda, which includes topics such as drug legislation, pharmaceutical safety, and public health programs.
Promoting Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
PSPNG promotes Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs for pharmacists to improve their knowledge and abilities, ensuring high standards of practice. PSPNG promotes lifelong learning through CPD activities and guarantees that pharmacists stay current on emerging healthcare practices such as new drugs, technology, and therapeutic recommendations.
Supporting Pharmacy Education, Training, and Curriculum Review
PSPNG promotes enhanced pharmacist education and training programs. We collaborate with academic institutions, including the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), to provide pharmacy students with in-depth education that prepares them for modern pharmacy practice. PSPNG collaborates with UPNG Discipline of Pharmacy to revise the pharmacy curriculum to conform with global standards and meet the increasing healthcare requirements in PNG. This involves advocating for the integration of new methods for therapy, technological advancements, and patient care models within the curriculum.
Lobbying for Pharmacy Licensing and Regulation
SPNG promotes clear and effective regulation of pharmacy profession in PNG. We collaborated with the Pharmacy Board of PNG to preserve professional standards and make pharmacy licensure criteria transparent, fair, and consistent with international norms. PSPNG advocates for continuing professional development (CPD) as a requirement for pharmacist license renewal to ensure ongoing competency.
Raising Public Awareness on Medication Safety & Antimicrobial Resistance
PSPNG's advocacy efforts include promoting pharmaceutical safety to the public. We seek to promote awareness regarding the correct use of medications, the dangers of self-medication, and the significance of following prescribed drug regimens. PSPNG also supports initiatives that attempt to prevent medicine usage and abuse, such as educating the public about the dangers of counterfeit and inferior pharmaceuticals.
Advocacy for Pharmacists' Role in Disease Management
PSPNG is dedicated to promoting the role of pharmacists in illness prevention and management. Pharmacists play a crucial role in addressing infectious illnesses including malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS, and cancer. They handle medications, educate patients, and contribute to public health programs. PSPNG assisted a member in attending the Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) Training, specifically on Sterile Product Preparation, presented by the FAPA Foundation in August. This was significant since the member was the only oncology pharmacist in PNG and required this exposure and training.
International Collaboration and Recognition
PSPNG works to improve the profile of the pharmacy profession in PNG on an international level. PSPNG's affiliations with international pharmacy organizations, including the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), provide pharmacists in PNG with access to global networks, best practices, and collaboration opportunities. Last month, seven members of the PSPNG attended the 59th FAPA Congress in Seoul, South Korea.
Advocacy for Pharmacy Legislation and Reforms
PSPNG advocates for legislative reforms that support the growth and development of the pharmacy profession in PNG. This includes promoting policies that expand the scope of pharmacy practice, such as allowing pharmacists to provide services beyond medication dispensing, such as immunization and health screening, where appropriate. PSPNG also supports the expansion of pharmacists' roles in primary healthcare settings.
Our Advocacy Approach
Policy Development
Engaging with policymakers to create supportive legislation and regulations for pharmacy practice.
Public Campaigns
Raising public awareness about the role of pharmacists in healthcare.
Engagement with Stakeholders
Collaborating with government bodies, healthcare professionals, and other organizations to promote the pharmacy profession.
Representation
Acting as the voice of pharmacists in national and international forums, ensuring that their interests are represented in key discussions related to healthcare policy.