Joburg’s homeless to get lifesaving medicine
JOBURG – Aspen Pharmacare, Wits University and Trinity Pharmacy commit to medicine supply for the homeless.
Aspen Pharmacare, Africa’s largest pharmaceutical company, in partnership with the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology at Wits University and the Trinity Pharmacy, which is administered by the university, have committed to the ongoing supply of medicines to the homeless in and around the Joburg CBD.
The Trinity Pharmacy, which operates as an NGO and has for some years now provided pharmaceutical services and supplies to this vulnerable group. As the need for the pharmaceutical products has increased, the pharmacy said it has become important for it to develop partnerships, which not only enhance the efficiency of the services provided but progressively increases access to healthcare, particularly in providing much-needed pharmaceutical products to these patients.
On Friday, 8 March, at The Trinity Pharmacy, Aspen presented a sponsorship for the pharmacy to acquire essential and much-needed medicines for the next 12 months, which will ensure the ongoing supply of lifesaving medicines to the homeless. The handover was attended by a number of B Pharm students from the University of the Witwatersrand, who together with their lecturing staff, volunteer their services to the pharmacy and its broader CBD community. This not only enables the students to begin realising the essence of patient care, but it represents a significant social responsibility initiative by the Wits Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Trinity Pharmacy and Aspen in the area.
“Pharmacists are the most accessible health professionals. A Wits pharmacist is not only qualified on dispensing medication, but also to dispense, love, hope, happiness and important knowledge on the safe and effective use of medication for the most vulnerable in society. This project is also a model to strengthen interprofessional education at Wits by capitalising on the collective skills of other healthcare professionals to optimise patient care for the homeless,” Prof. Yahya Choonara, chair and head of pharmacy and pharmacology at Wits said.
Stavros Nicolaou, Aspen Pharmacare senior executive, said the initiative and partnership with Wits University and its Pharmacy School, is consistent with Aspen’s philosophy of assisting resource-constrained communities and equally in assisting to build sustainable communities, particularly in those communities that Aspen operates.
“Wits University and its Pharmacy School need to be commended for taking the lead in assisting these vulnerable communities. Aspen is privileged to be part of this partnership and looks forward to it making an ongoing and meaningful contribution to so many,” Nicolaou said.
