Ugandan Registrar of Pharmacy Board and His Team Visits FAMSAS College of health sciences and technology, keffi

The Ugandan delegation, led by Mr. Obua Thomas Ocwa, Registrar of the Pharmacy Board, embarked on a learning tour at FAMSAS College of Health Sciences and Technology, Keffi. 

Accompanying him were prominent figures from Uganda's health sector, including Dr. Olaro Charles, Director of Curative Services, Dr. Betty Mirembe K., PATH Country Director, Mrs. Fiona Walugembe and Mr. Shahir Salyani, a Consultant at Women's Health Innovation Group/Bill and Melenda Gates Foundation.

The visit was facilitated by Nigerian counterparts, including former Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Registrar Pharm. Elijah Mohammed, Project Director at Security for Fammily Health, Pharm. Emeka Okafor and the Nasarawa State PCN Coordinator, Pharm. Nwora Okpalaeke. 

Upon arrival, the Ugandan team was warmly received by the College's Provost, Mr. Mohammed Idris Lukumbogothe, Registrar Mr. Abubakar Sharu Bala, and Pharmacy Technician Head of Department, Pharm. Yahaya Ibrahim Aruwa, among others. The Provost conveyed assurances of a hospitable engagement and emphasized the significance of their visit. 

The primary focus of the visit was to comprehend the Mandatory Entry Point Training Programme (MEPTP) at FAMSAS College, conducted in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria. This program addresses the licensing of Proprietary and Patent Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), who, by law, are not qualified to handle the sale of certain medications. MEPTP aims to rectify the imbalanced distribution of healthcare facilities and alleviate the shortage of qualified pharmacists in Nigeria. 

The session, led by the College's Pharmacy Technician Head of Department, Pharm. Yahaya Ibrahim Aruwa, involved a comprehensive explanation of the MEPTP process. Pharm. Aruwa justified each step involved in the initiation and completion of the program. Additionally, the opportunity was seized for a meaningful interaction between Pharm. Elijah Mohammed, the former registrar of PCN, and students of the Pharmacy Technician Department.

Overall, the visit served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration between the Ugandan and Nigerian health sectors, with a specific focus on addressing crucial issues in pharmaceutical training and licensing.