​World Pharmacist Day is commemorated annually on 20 September to appreciate the role pharmacists play in improving global health services.
This year, the day is celebrated under the theme: Transforming global health and Kgomotso Mophulane, a Communication Manager at Helen Joseph took time to speak to a Pharmacist Mayshree Rowjee.
Commenting on what a pharmacist is, Rowjee said: "A Pharmacist is a custodian of medicines and their job is to protect people from the dangers of over-dosing, under-dosing and the adverse effects of the medication'' 
The hospital's Pharmacy is considered among the most advanced in the continent due to its Automation Pharmacy Dispensing project, which has been seen to increase its capacity and efficiency. The numerous accolades the unit has received over the years also positions it as the hospital's Centre of Excellence. Rowjee says this is because of the ''commitment of Pharmacy staff towards service delivery and patient care'' She says '' the Automation Pharmacy Dispensing project assists by reducing dispensing errors, enhancing stock management and provision of accurate and comprehensive patient history among other benefits''. 
The Pharmacy is also one of the busiest units in the hospital, which has had to extend their operating hours during the height of the COVID19 pandemic in the country. Asked about a typical day at work Rowjee says '' Most days when I arrive at work there are already long queues of patients waiting for their medication. We need to evaluate the prescription to ensure that it meets all the legal requirements and then proceed to issue the prescriptions. COVID-19 brought about many new challenges to our operations as it meant dealing with our own anxieties while doing our best to fulfil the patient's needs while ensuring their safety''.
Another challenge that the unit has had to face is that of the shortage of medicine in the past months. The Lockdown regulations also exacerbated the challenge as manufacturers were not operating in full capacity.  Rowjee says "One of the primary challenges experienced was suppliers were not able to deliver on time and quantities ordered, however we ensured that patients do not go without receiving their medicines by giving them alternative medication were available and gave them different strength or pack sizes''.
Even with all these difficulties, Rowjee remains passionate about the profession, '' My work is more than just a job, every day is a learning experience and that is why I enjoy it so much. At the end of the day nothing is more rewarding than knowing that you made a difference in someone's life just by doing your job'' she concluded.