Pharmacist Jimmy Olu Coker FPCP of Banjul Pharmacy was recently elected as president of West African Post-graduate College of Pharmacists for the period of two years 2009-2011. His election as president of (WAPCP) follows his dedication, hardwork and commitment when it comes to areas of quality health services both in the country and outside the country.

Mr Coker, an examiner of postgraduate college of pharmacists, was elected during the 21st Annual General Meeting and scientific symposium held from the 15-20 March 2009 in AccraGhana. The theme for this year’s Annual General Meeting was ‘challenges of pharmacy in improving the quality of life in the West African sub-region’.

Speaking to The Point in his office in Banjul, Coker revealed that the pharmacy profession in the West African sub-region is advancing to a very critical stage, noting that community professional practising standards is in the decline in both Anglophone, Lusophone and some Francophone countries. He further revised the background of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), founded in Monrovia, Liberia, by representatives of national pharmaceutical societies of the Republic of Benin, Ghana, The Gambia, Ivory Coast, and Senegal which later opted for observer status.  “The organisation then became a specialised agency of the West African Health Organisation (formerly West African Health Community)”, he said.

Commenting on the aims and objectives of (WAPCP), Mr. Coker pointed out that they are to advance professional postgraduate education and training in all pharmaceutical, disciplines, to promote and achieve a high standard of professional practice and competence among pharmacy practitioners.

Coker asserted that the development of pharmaceutical manpower in the member countries through continuing education, diploma and fellowship programmes, and to facilitate the establishment of schools of pharmacy; and University of Sierra Leone contributed to the formulation and harmonization of drug laws in the West African sub-region.