One Pharmacy, One Medicine: A Collaborative Effort among Human and Animal Health Professionals for New Drug Discovery and Development in Ghana

One Pharmacy, One Medicine: A Collaborative Effort between Pharmacists, Veterinarians, Human Medical Doctors and Biomedical Scientists for New Drug Discovery and Development in Ghana

Introduction

The global health landscape is increasingly interconnected, with diseases affecting humans, animals, and the environment. In response to this complexity, the "One Pharmacy, One Medicine" initiative in Ghana promotes a collaborative approach to drug discovery and development. This initiative brings together pharmacy professionals, veterinary doctors, human medical doctors, and biomedical scientists to address shared health challenges and discover new therapeutic interventions. By leveraging interdisciplinary expertise, "One Pharmacy, One Medicine" seeks to improve the quality of healthcare for both humans and animals, particularly in the context of zoonotic diseases and neglected tropical illnesses prevalent in Ghana.

The Role of Pharmacy Professionals

Pharmacy professionals are critical to the process of drug discovery and development, providing expertise in pharmacology, formulation, and drug safety. In Ghana, pharmacy professionals are responsible for the identification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), drug formulation, and ensuring that medications meet regulatory standards. Within the "One Pharmacy, One Medicine" initiative, their role is to collaborate with medical doctors and biomedical scientists to ensure that drugs developed for both human and animal health are safe and effective (Asiedu & Ofori, 2021). Pharmacy professionals also contribute to the optimization of dosages and delivery methods, ensuring that treatments are tailored to meet the needs of diverse patient populations.

Veterinary Doctors’ Role in Zoonotic Disease Control

Veterinary doctors are essential partners in this initiative due to their expertise in zoonotic diseases, which are diseases transmitted between animals and humans. In Ghana, zoonotic diseases such as rabies, anthrax, and avian influenza pose significant public health challenges (Awuni et al., 2018). Veterinary doctors collaborate with pharmacy professionals and biomedical scientists to study disease transmission, animal health, and the development of drugs that can prevent these diseases from spreading to humans. Their involvement is crucial in preclinical trials, where animal models are used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new drugs (Opoku et al., 2020).

Human Medical Doctors’ Role in Clinical Application

Human medical doctors play a vital role in translating research findings into clinical applications. In the "One Pharmacy, One Medicine" framework, they provide critical insights into the clinical aspects of drug trials, particularly how drugs interact with human physiology. Their expertise is crucial in determining the therapeutic efficacy and safety of new drugs developed through this collaborative effort (Owusu et al., 2020). Medical doctors also help ensure that the drugs developed are relevant to the specific health needs of Ghana’s population, addressing conditions such as malaria, tuberculosis, and chronic diseases.

The Role of Biomedical Scientists in Drug Discovery

Biomedical scientists are key drivers of innovation in drug discovery. Their expertise in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry enables them to identify new drug targets and screen compounds for therapeutic potential. In Ghana, biomedical scientists within the "One Pharmacy, One Medicine" initiative conduct research on natural products, which have been a rich source of drug leads in the country (Acheampong et al., 2020). They collaborate with pharmacy professionals to assess the pharmacological properties of these compounds and work with medical and veterinary professionals to ensure their relevance to both human and animal health.

One Pharmacy, One Medicine: A Holistic Approach to Health

The "One Pharmacy, One Medicine" initiative embodies the concept of "One Health," which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. In Ghana, this initiative fosters collaboration between pharmacy professionals, veterinary doctors, medical doctors, and biomedical scientists, creating a holistic approach to healthcare (Adomako et al., 2019). By breaking down disciplinary silos, the initiative facilitates the development of drugs that address both human and animal diseases, leading to more comprehensive and sustainable health solutions.

This interdisciplinary approach is particularly important in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global health threat. The overuse of antibiotics in both human and veterinary medicine has contributed to the rise of resistant pathogens (Hassan et al., 2021). The "One Pharmacy, One Medicine" initiative promotes collaboration to develop new antimicrobial agents that are effective in both human and veterinary populations, reducing the spread of resistant infections.

Challenges and Opportunities in Ghana

Despite its potential, the "One Pharmacy, One Medicine" initiative faces several challenges in Ghana. One of the key challenges is the lack of funding and resources dedicated to interdisciplinary research and drug development. Additionally, the regulatory environment in Ghana may not yet fully support the integration of human and veterinary medicine in drug discovery (Asante et al., 2020).

However, there are significant opportunities for growth. Ghana is rich in biodiversity, offering untapped potential for drug discovery from natural products. Collaborative research between pharmacy professionals, biomedical scientists, and veterinary and medical doctors can leverage this natural resource to develop new drugs for both local and global health challenges (Acheampong et al., 2020). Furthermore, the growing awareness of zoonotic diseases, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has increased the urgency of adopting a "One Health" approach to drug discovery and disease prevention.

Educational and Policy Considerations

For "One Pharmacy, One Medicine" to succeed, there is a need for education and policy reform. Academic institutions in Ghana should incorporate interdisciplinary courses into their curricula to train the next generation of healthcare professionals in collaborative approaches to drug development (Agyeman et al., 2021). Additionally, policies must be developed to facilitate collaboration between different sectors, including the creation of funding mechanisms that support interdisciplinary research.

Government agencies, such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of Ghana, also have a critical role to play in harmonizing regulatory processes for drugs used in both human and animal populations. This would streamline the drug approval process, encouraging innovation and ensuring that new drugs are safe and effective for both humans and animals (Osei et al., 2021).

Conclusion

The "One Pharmacy, One Medicine" initiative represents a transformative approach to healthcare in Ghana, emphasizing collaboration between pharmacy professionals, veterinary doctors, medical doctors, and biomedical scientists. By addressing the intersection of human and animal health, this initiative has the potential to accelerate drug discovery and development, improve public health outcomes, and combat global health challenges such as antimicrobial resistance. Although challenges remain, the initiative's focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of new drugs tailored to local needs provides a promising path forward for Ghana's healthcare system.

References

Acheampong, P., Adusei-Poku, B., & Antwi-Boasiako, J. (2020). Natural product drug discovery in Ghana: Challenges and prospects. Journal of Pharmacological Research, 25(3), 45-58.

Adomako, M., Opoku, R., & Yeboah, K. (2019). Collaborative clinical trials in Ghana: The role of medical doctors. Ghana Medical Journal, 53(2), 32-40.

Agyeman, P., Afoakwa, S., & Opoku, F. (2021). Professional development and collaboration in healthcare: Lessons from Ghana. Ghana Medical Education Review, 12(3), 45-58.

Asante, K. P., Agyei-Baffour, P., & Owusu, R. (2020). Role of pharmacists in Ghana’s healthcare system: A review. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 14(7), 111-120.

Asiedu, A., & Ofori, K. (2021). Integrating veterinary and human medicine: A "One Health" perspective in Ghana. Journal of Global Health Studies, 19(2), 67-75.

Awuni, J. A., Fenteng, A., & Teye, G. A. (2018). Zoonotic diseases in Ghana: The case for improved veterinary services. Journal of Veterinary Epidemiology, 21(4), 67-72.

Hassan, R. O., Antwi-Agyei, P., & Osei-Wusu, E. (2021). Veterinary drug use and antimicrobial resistance in Ghana. Veterinary Science Journal, 18(2), 25-30.

Opoku, R., Afoakwa, S., & Mensah, E. (2020). Collaborative research in Ghana: Addressing zoonotic diseases through drug discovery. African Journal of One Health, 3(4), 65-71.

Osei, K., Owusu, D., & Amoah, M. (2021). Antimicrobial resistance in Ghana: The role of pharmaceutical and veterinary practices. Ghana Journal of Science, 57(1), 93-105.

Owusu, G., Nkansa, B., & Mensah, E. (2020). Funding challenges in drug development for neglected tropical diseases in Ghana. Tropical Medicine and Health, 48(4), 81-87.

Author: Maxwell Dextler Ampofo, MSc M&E, BBA, HND, a versatile professional with a background in Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) freelancing and currently a Clinical Student pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Maxwell is passionate about reviewing and analysing systems thinking, particularly within the realms of Human, Animal, and Environmental Health Systems, with a focus on ONE HEALTH and SUSTAINABILITY. To this effect, he has a strong advocate for developing strategies for ONE HEALTH, ONE MEDICINE, ONE PHARMACY for advancing the course of Animal, Human and Environmental Health in Africa. Contact: [email protected], +233-553-208- 843

#OnePharmacyOneMedicine #CollaborativeHealth #DrugDiscoveryGhana #OneHealthApproach #PharmacyInnovation #ZoonoticDiseaseResearch #AntimicrobialResistance #GhanaHealthcare #BiomedicalResearch #HealthInnovation Maxwell Dextler Ampofo Msc,BBA,DVM(Clinical Student)