COVID-19 is a trigger for transformation in pharmacy education for West Africa

Abstract

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has irreversibly disrupted key services including education. Terms like the ‘new normal’ reflect the lost hope of returning to pre-COVID times. This editorial describes the challenges and responses of educators and governments in West Africa to COVID-19. To avert further harm posed to pharmacy education and practice, the publication advocates for innovation. Pharmacy leaders in West Africa are challenged to look On the other side of the coin, avoid inefficient panic-driven solutions and seek opportunities for change in the challenges. The paper provides a direction for change and specifically identifies collaboration with partners within the region and beyond including quality continuous professional development programmes for leadership development, re-training of educators and practitioner development.