The Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) has urged the federal government to implement the approved Consultant Pharmacist Cadre and Harmonisation of Call Duty Allowance and Other Related Allowances for Pharmacists with Doctor of Pharmacy Degree.
Pharm. Olabode Ogunjemiyo (FPSN), the National Chairman of AHAPN, made the call in a letter which was addressed to Kachollom Daju, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja, on April 5, 2024, reports Daily Independent.
The letter which was entitled, “Re: Implementation of Consultant Pharmacist Cadre and Harmonisation of Call Duty Allowance and Other Related Allowances for Pharmacists with Doctor of Pharmacy Degree,” stressed the need for approved four percent call duty allowance implementation.
Pharm. Ogunjemiyo specifically urged the ministry to implement the approved four percent call duty allowance on the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform for pharmacists like those of their optometrists’ counterparts for ease of access by the various federal health institutions (FHIs) for the payment of Pharm. D. holders.
He said the non-implementation of the policy has prevented pharmacists from enjoying the remunerations since the approval was given.
The AHAPN National Chairman told the Permanent Secretary, “We are particularly happy about your efforts in ensuring that the Consultant Pharmacist Cadre and harmonisation of call duty allowance for Pharmacists with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree becomes a reality. However, I wish to bring to your notice the circulars that are yet to be implemented.”
Pharmacists Consultant Cadre
According to him, the circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with reference number C5516/Vol.11/289 and dated September 14, 2023, expressly directed the immediate implementation of the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre on CONHESS 13-15.
He also recalled a circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with reference number DHS/1039/1/55 and dated October 10, 2023, requesting for issuance of approved establishment positions for Consultant Pharmacist Cadre in Federal Tertiary Institutions by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSOF).
He said the circular requested the release of approved establishment positions for each of the Federal Tertiary Institutions for compliance and seamless operationalisation of the circular.
He therefore urged the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSOF) to release the establishment positions for the various FHIs for the conversion of relevant officers as stipulated in the relevant circulars.
He also called on the OHCSOF to direct the creation of the specialist allowance on the IPPIS platform for access by the various Federal Health Institutions across the nation.
Call Duty Allowance
On the call for a four percent call duty allowance for Pharm D Holders, Pharm. Ogunjemiyo cited the circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with reference number DHS/419/S.2/T/74 and dated October 19, 2023.
According to him, the circular directed the harmonisation of call duty allowance and other related allowances for pharmacists with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree with that of a Doctor of Optometry.
The letter reads, “The circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with reference number C5516/Vol.11/289 and dated September 14, 2023, refers. The circular expressly directed the immediate implementation of the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre on CONHESS 13-15.
“In a related development, a circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with reference number DHS/1039/1/55 and dated 10th October 2023 requesting for issuance of approved establishment positions for Consultant Pharmacist Cadre in Federal Tertiary Institutions by the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSOF) refers. The circular requested the release of approved establishment positions for each of the Federal Tertiary Institutions for compliance and seamless operationalisation of the circular.
“Prayers: The office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSOF) should releasethe establishment positions for the various FHIs for the conversion of relevant officers as stipulated in the relevant circulars.
“It should also direct the creation of the specialist allowance on the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform for access by the various Federal Health Institutions across the nation.
“Four percent call duty allowance for Pharm D Holders. The circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with reference number DHS/419/S.2/T/74 and dated October 19, 2023, refers. The circular directed the harmonization of call duty allowance and other related allowances for pharmacists with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree with that of a Doctor of Optometry.
“Prayer: Creation of the four percent call duty allowance on the IPPIS platform for Pharmacists like those of their Optometrists counterparts for ease of access by the various FHIs for the payment of Pharm.D holders. This is what has prevented Pharmacists from enjoying the remunerations since approval was given,” he added.
He thanked the Permanent Secretary for the roles he was playing to ensure that no profession is shortchanged in the health sector and expressed hope that the AHAPN prayers would be given accelerated positive responses.
Recall that on the implementation of the approved Scheme of Service for Pharmacist Consultant Cadre, Kachollom issued a Circular Ref. No. HCSF/CSo/HRM/1274/T3 of September 11, 2020, on the approved Scheme of Service for Pharmacist Consultant Cadre.
The circular provided certain clarification, noting, “The Pharmacist Consultant Cadre is distinct from the already-in-existence Pharmacist Cadre Structure on sGL. 10 – 17 for holders of B. Pharm.
“A transition from the Pharmacist Cadre to the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre is by conversion in line with extant rules in which case officers on Pharmacy Cadre on SGL 15 convert laterally to the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre on SGL.15 on the acquisition ofthe requisite qualification. This is subject to the availability of vacancies like Pharmacists on the lower SGL, on qualification, would be advanced to SGL. 15,” it added.
The circular therefore directed for the immediate implementation of the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre with strict adherence to the clarification/guidelines provided by the OHCSF and in Circular Ref. No. HCSF/SPSO/DD/E&WP/64508/11/174 of June 9, 2021, to ensure a uniform implementation.
Similarly, Ogunjemiyo’s letter quoted a circular on September 6, 2023, on the guidance and clarification for the implementation of a Consultant Pharmacist Cadre in Federal Tertiary Hospitals.
The circular was titled, “Request for Issuance of Approved Establishment Positions For Consultant Pharmacist Cadre in Federal Tertiary Hospitals and was signed by Kachollom.
It requested for the release of approved Establishment positions for the Consultant Pharmacist Cadre for each of the Federal Tertiary Hospitals for Compliance and seamless operation of the circular.
The circular reads, “I write to refer to your letter Reference number HCSF/SPSO/ODD/NCE/CND.100/S.4/91 dated September 6, 2023, on the guidance and clarification for the implementation of a Consultant Pharmacist Cadre in Federal Tertiary Hospitals.
“In recognition of the statutory mandate of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to issue guidance on the Establishment position for cadres in the Federal Civil Service of the Federation.
“I hereby humbly request that you kindly release approved Establishment positions for the Consultant Pharmacist Cadre for each of the Federal Tertiary Hospitals for Compliance and seamless operation of the circular.”
“In conclusion, we want to thank you for the roles you are playing to ensure that no profession is shortchanged in the health sector. We shall be grateful if our prayers are given accelerated positive responses,” Ogunjemiyo’s letter read.
