By Nangamso Mabindla

Buffalo City's Pharmacy Awareness Week, aimed at educating people about the important role played by pharmacists in medical delivery, was officially launched at the East London City Hall yesterday.

Pharmacy Awareness Week is also aimed at helping patients make informed decisions when receiving medicine from health-care centres.

Buffalo City Councillor Kawulezile Pati, speaking at the launch on behalf of Executive Mayor Sindisile Mclean, said the awareness campaign was essential in promoting drug and medicine literacy in South Africa.

"All South Africans must have access to affordable, good quality, effective health care and medication," Pati said.

During the awareness week, people would be taught how to use medicine effectively and be educated about their responsibilities when taking medicine prescribed at health centres, he said.

An example where patients needed to be educated was in the use of medicines to combat tuberculosis: "One of the main reasons for our not winning the fight against this preventable illness is that patients do not complete the course of drugs they are given. As soon as they feel better, they stop taking those drugs and that is a big mistake," Pati said.

Education was vital to ensure patients understood the professional advice they were given about the use of medicine.

"It is also crucial that the government and the pharmaceutical industry ensure both patients and those who prescribe the drugs use them appropriately. Pharmacists don't only play a vital role in prescription but in directing people and assuring them of good healthy advice and clear instructions."

The pharmaceutical profession had a vital role in ensuring the spread of knowledge about the safe use of medicines, Pati said.

Aspen Pharmacare, which is based in East London, is the driving force behind the awareness week.