The Pharmacy Technologists Association of Ghana, on Saturday called on the Pharmacy Council to allow its members to establish retail outlets to support pharmaceutical services.

The association made the call at the closing session of a four-day training programme on advocacy, organised by the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) Fund for 25 pharmacy technologists.

The participants were drawn from the Western, Central, Greater Accra, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions.

Mr Michael Gyamprah, Western Regional Chairman of the Association, said the Council should put in place a policy that would enable pharmacy technologists to open and operate retail outlets.

He said some countries including South Africa and Kenya have such a policy, and this is helping to strengthen their pharmaceutical services.

Mr Gyamprah said, such a policy would ensure proper dispensation of drugs in the country, particularly in rural and deprived communities where pharmaceutical services are unavailable.

He said the policy would support the National Health Insurance Scheme and check the sale of restricted drugs.

Mr Lord-Lucas Vodzi, Lead Consultant of the BUSAC Fund, noted that, there is a gap in pharmaceutical services at the grassroots that pharmacy technologists can fill.

He said, this would promote sustainable health delivery, which is necessary for national development adding: "The association is made up of disciplined members and should not be ignored in the process of national development."**