TANZANIANS have been advised to avoid using medicines without consulting medical doctors because such habit may result into other health complications.
This was revealed on Friday by the Association of Pharmacists in Tanzania President, Mr Fadhili Hezekiah , during the celebration of World Pharmacists’ Day which is marked today. World Pharmacists’ Day is marked on every 25 September.
Mr Hezekiah said that majority of Tanzanians have been using medicines without doctors’ prescription as a result they have been causing more problems to their health.
“Many Tanzanians have been developing chronic diseases which partly are being contributed by improper medication such as exceeding dosage duration, failure to finish the dose, using wrong medicine,” said Mr Hezekiah.
He said it is the right time for Tanzanian pharmacists to use their expertise to help the community as this year’s celebration theme is ‘Pharmacy United in Action for a Healthier World’.
Mr Hezekiah also asked people who sell medicines without being authorised by respective authorities to stop immediately because such practice has serious health risks.
“Fundamentally, medicines should not be handled by someone who is not a pharmacist, so those who sell pharmaceuticals on the street without being authorised are committing legal offence,” said Mr Hezekiah.
He also said that pharmacy profession is divided into different levels which aimed at reaching many Tanzanians in the provision of services.
Mr Hezekiah has asked various institutions and individuals who will be able to establish colleges that will be offering pharmacy degrees to do so in accordance with the relevant procedure so that they can help the government to increase the number of pharmacists in the country.
On his part, Tanzanian Pharmaceutical Students Association President Mr Noel Philipo said that pharmacists are very important people in educating the community about proper use of medicines.
Mr Philipo has asked students who have completed the pharmacy training to serve the community in order to help the government which has been fighting a lot in improving the health of the community.
“Despite the challenges of employment in the country as pharmacists, we still have the opportunity to help our community with the knowledge we gain in improving their health,” said Mr Philipo.
He also asked the government to look at them with a second eye in employment issues as they are very important people in improving the public health through their profession.
