Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Training Institute (TPTI) held its 4th graduation ceremony in Accra on Thursday under the theme: ‘The Changing Roles of MCA’s in Pharmaceutical Care’.

About 100 students, consisting of two batches, graduated from the Institute after taking a six-month course, both theory and practical in Medicine Counter Assistant (MCA).

Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Training Institute (TPTI) was established four years ago through the vision of the Executive Chairman of the Tobinco Group of Companies, Elder Nana Amo Tobbin I, to provide excellent tuition and training to its students to become very skillful and knowledgeable so that they can deliver the highest quality health care in the pharmaceutical industry.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief Inspecting Pharmacist, Pharmacy Council, Dr Chris Quao, urged the graduating students to practice within the legal framework of the profession while they go into the field of work.

He observed that patients have become more enlightened and would go ahead to take legal actions against MCA’s when they fall foul of the law or standards in the discharge of their duties.

In such situations, he said the law will only protect those who practiced with the legal framework.

He also urged the MCA’s to maintain ethical behaviours that will make clients have confidence in pharmacists.

Dr Chris Quao also encouraged the MCAs to be courteous, and truthful and give clients the right to choose when they enter their office.

Also, he noted that confidentiality was key in delivering such services, urging the MCA to ensure to keep people’s medical issues private and confidential.

He said: “The fact that you have records of people’s medical issues does not mean you have to share it, you must have strict confidentiality.”

He also encouraged them not to relent in their effort to learning more to improve themselves in their profession.

The Registrar, Entrance University College of Health Sciences (EUCHS), Mr Samuel Apeawin, encouraged the MCA’s to open their own chemical shops instead of going to look for jobs.

He promised to speak with the Marketing Department of the Tobinco Group Limited to assist the graduating class to open their chemical shops.

However, he observed that Accra was choked with chemical shops, urging the MCA’s to look at opening theirs in their villages or hometowns, assuring them of massive profits.

Also, he urged them to put God first in whatever they do.

Aside from their certificates, the overall best student, Esther Essel, was also given a special award which came with a prize.

Some best students, Eunice Adusei Boateng, Abdul Razack Alberta, and Appeatse Shadrack, were given special awards also.

| Rev Emmanuel Yirebi, Chaplain for Tobinco Group presenting an award to one of the best students