The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya has called for recognition
of pharmacists as central players in the country's healthcare system.
PSK lower Eastern branch secretary Patrick Muthini said pharmacists
are not only custodians of medicines but also “central architects of stronger
health systems and better health outcomes”.
“The role of pharmacists has evolved far
beyond the traditional image of dispensing medicines. Today, pharmacists are at
the frontline of healthcare delivery,” he said.
Muthini spoke on Thursday during the World Pharmacists Day
celebrations.
He said this year’s theme, “Think Health, Think Pharmacists”, goes
beyond being a mere slogan.
“The role of pharmacists has evolved far
beyond the traditional image of dispensing medicines. Today, pharmacists are at
the frontline of healthcare delivery,” Muthini said.
He said pharmacists remain an underutilised
workforce despite the potential to address some of the country’s most
pressing healthcare needs.
“This entails ensuring equitable access to
quality medicines and supplies, promoting safe and rational drug use, and
contributing to the fight against antimicrobial resistance,” Muthini said.
He said financial constraints have forced the
government to assign non-professionals tasks that require the expertise of
trained pharmacists.
“While such measures may save costs in the
short term, they expose patients to avoidable risks, compromise medicine
optimisation and erode public trust in healthcare systems. The long-term social
and economic costs far outweigh the perceived savings,” Muthini said.
The Kitui County Referral Hospital Cancer
Centre medic said pharmacists play a critical role in ensuring the functionality
of medical supply chains, administering vaccinations and offering preventive
and promotive health services.
He stressed their role in combating
antimicrobial resistance through stewardship programmes and rational antibiotic
use, as well as raising health literacy across communities through public
health campaigns.
“From hospital wards to specialised clinics in
oncology, HIV, tuberculosis, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other
non-communicable conditions, pharmacists are key players in patient care,”
Muthini said.
Through these contributions, he said,
pharmacists deliver safe, effective, and cost-efficient care that not only
improves individual patient outcomes but also strengthens the entire health
system.
