Clinical pharmacists at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa have won top honours for advancing pharmaceutical services, patient safety, and healthcare innovation.

The hospital took home two accolades at the National Pioneer Pharmacy Awards held during the National Pharmacy Conference at the Durban International Convention Centre from October 11 to 13.

Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital received the Public Sector Institutional Pharmacy Award and the National Pioneer Institutional Facility Award in recognition of its achievements in medicine management, patient safety, and innovative healthcare practices.

Clinical pharmacist Ama Annor received the Hospital Sector Research Award for evaluating paediatric pain-assessment scales and optimising analgesic therapy.

The three awards highlight the contribution of the hospital’s clinical pharmacy team to patient care and pharmaceutical services within the public healthcare sector.

Pharmacy manager Blessing Mohale said the recognition reflected the team’s commitment to providing safe, appropriate, and effective medication.

“These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our pharmacy team, which continues to prioritise patient safety, innovation, and improved health outcomes.

“We remain committed to strengthening pharmaceutical services and ensuring that our patients receive quality care,” said Mohale.

Mohale said clinical pharmacists at the facility support patient care through ward-based services and by participating in multidisciplinary teams across various hospital departments.

He explained that their duties include antimicrobial stewardship, pharmacovigilance, promoting safe medicine use, and contributing to cost-reduction initiatives.

“Through antimicrobial stewardship, pharmacists help promote the responsible use of antibiotics, while pharmacovigilance involves monitoring and reporting suspected adverse reactions to medicines to support patient safety.”

The team also contributes to improving access to chronic medication through the Central Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution programme.

The programme allows eligible patients to collect their chronic medication from alternative collection points, reducing the need for frequent visits to healthcare facilities and helping to ease pressure on hospital services.

Annor’s research evaluated paediatric pain-assessment scales to identify pain severity and guide appropriate analgesic treatment in children.

The findings demonstrated improvements in medication management, supporting safer, more effective, and patient-centred pain care for paediatric patients.

Accurate pain assessment is important in helping healthcare professionals determine the appropriate treatment for children who may struggle to communicate the severity of their discomfort.

The recognition also places the spotlight on the work of public-sector pharmacy teams in addressing healthcare challenges through research, collaboration, and the continuous improvement of pharmaceutical services.

Mohale added that the three awards mark an achievement for the hospital’s pharmacy staff and reinforce its commitment to advancing patient-centred healthcare through innovation, research, and responsible medicine management.

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