#MEET Erith Community Based Specialty Oncology Pharmacy
This is a short interview we conducted with Asomaniwaa Owusu-Ansah, the creator of Erith Community Based Specialty Oncology Pharmacy. If you like this project and would like to vote for it, click here.
1. Please, tell us a bit about yourself: where are you from and what is your background?
My name is Asomaniwaa Owusu-Ansah, a resident of Accra-Ghana. I am 29 years Old and originally from the Kwahu Mountains in Eastern Ghana. We are known for our entrepreneurship and hard work. I am a Pharmacist registered with the Pharmacy Council of Ghana, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners. I have practiced as an Oncology Pharmacist and have an ongoing MCPD in medicine used in cancer from the Liverpool John Moore's University (distance learning). I have a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from the Central University.
2. Can you describe your idea or project in two sentences?
1. Give patients prompt access to cancer medicines (oral anti-cancers), social and home care services at retail pharmacies that will be based in communities throughout the ten regions of Ghana and have access to community based oncology Pharmacists, Pharmacy technicians and social workers who will work in collaboration with Oncologists, Nurses, Radiotherapists, Dieticians etc at the cancer centers to continually offer a multidisciplinary approach to community based care.
2. To offer decent work and training of pharmacy staff in specialty care.
3. How did you get your idea or concept?
In my practice as an Oncology Pharmacist in a cancer center, I saw the need for Community based specialty services. Patients sometimes struggled with traveling and accommodation costs in addition to hospital bills. Some patients also preferred private/home care to an overcrowded hospital setting.
4. What is unique about your idea/project and how does it benefit mankind?
This idea is uncharted and will be the first of its kind in Ghana. Community Pharmacies often offer traditional services of dispensing general medicines, counseling etc. I believe that the addition of atypical specialty services will improve on the impact of Community Pharmacies in Ghana since we are the first point of call for most patients.
5. Describe yourself as an entrepreneur in one sentence
Visionary Leadership
6. How do you deal with people that doubt your abilities/initiatives?
I do better than they expect. I rise above their opinions and criticisms.
7. Where does your passion lie?
In improving my world with my skills and expertise. Saving and improving lives.
8. What are you afraid of or what keeps you up at night?
Money/funding for the project.
9. According to you, money is a synonym for.....
Growth and expansion. Turning ideas into reality.
10. If you could rid the world of three things, what would they be?
1. Poverty
2. Disease
3. Procrastination
11. What are the benefits you take from the Entrepreneurship Campus?
Networking and learning.
12. What do you like more about the Entrepreneurship Campus?
Free learning.
13. Which idea/project do you like most?
Erith community-based specialty Oncology Pharmacy.
NOTICE: If you want to see more submitted ideas and projects at the Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition, visit BEST IDEAS and BEST PROJECTS and VOTE for the ones you think deserve to WIN the Competition!
