03 Oct 2023

Medical students have been encouraged to consider pursuing careers in  industrial pharmaceuticals in order to bolster the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

Speaking during the University of Botswana (UB) School Of Pharmacy White Coat ceremony 2023 of the 2027 cohort in Gaborone recently, Mr Duncan Thela of Smart Pharmacy Botswana said it was important to encourage pharmaceutical students to venture into pharmaceutical manufacturing to address challenges faced by African countries, Botswana included.

Mr Thela said Africa imports between 70-100 per cent of all pharmaceutical needs, adding that the 2027 cohort was tasked with the responsibility of addressing pharmaceutical needs in Botswana in all aspects.

“We produce less than one per cent of vaccines as such industrial farming remains key in terms of developing next cohorts,” he said.

Mr Thela said herbal products may also be integrated into pharmaceutical manufacturing by adopting a risk-based regulatory approach.

He said that could require concerted efforts from academic institutions and government to drive research that would identify and characterise the various indigenous plants, document knowledge and their long history of traditional use and safety.

He said integrating indigenous medicinal products into pharmaceutical manufacturing required robust regulatory systems and compliance to ensure that the resultant products were of quality, safe and beneficial to the general population.

For his part, Botswana Health Professional Council representative Mr Mmoloki Moloi encouraged students to practice professionalism as they embarked on a new journey to become pharmacists.

Mr Moloi said professionalism attributes were rarely obtained or learnt from textbooks, tutorials or lectures, but instilled through professional socialisation practices.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Teaching and Learning, Professor George Ekosse congratulated the new cohort saying they were fulfilling their dreams.

Prof Ekosse said pharmacy was a noble profession that cared for humanity and ensured that humankind lived comfortably.

“The annual white ceremony transitions students into professional pharmaceutical care with the white coat being a symbol of clinical service and care,” he said.

The 59 UB students also took a pledge of professionalism, respect and integrity in pharmaceutical service.  ENDS