Kenya’s ambition to provide affordable, comprehensive health coverage through a national insurance system, now known as the Social Health Authority (SHA), has faced persistent challenges. Despite reform efforts, many Kenyans continue to struggle to access needed services, and the system’s finances have been strained by fraud and inefficiencies.

What Is SHA?

The Social Health Authority (SHA) is a state corporation established by the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 to replace the former National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). Its mandate is to manage public healthcare financing in Kenya and to ensure accessible, affordable, and quality health insurance for all Kenyans.

SHA oversees several funds, including the Primary Health Care Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund, all designed to broaden coverage and reduce financial risk for Kenyans.

SHA Fraud is a Setback

One of the biggest threats to the SHA’s effectiveness is fraudulent claims. In 2025, the authority reportedly nearly lost KSh 10.6 billion to fraudulent payouts , a huge loss in a system that is still trying to expand services. When public funds are diverted through inflated or fake claims, less money remains for genuine patient care.

Fraud often arises when:

• payment systems lack transparency,
• enforcement and auditing are weak, and
• some health providers collude with intermediaries to claim unjustified reimbursements.

Without stronger controls and accountability, public funds are at risk while service delivery remains inadequate.

At the same time, fake hospital registrations and misconduct have been flagged by SHA itself, and the authority has even provided reporting channels for the public to report suspected fraud.

Poor Services

Despite significant contributions by Kenyan workers and employers, many beneficiaries feel that the services they receive are insufficient.

Common complaints include:

• Frequent medicine shortages even basic drugs like paracetamol and antibiotics are often unavailable in many facilities.
• Long waiting times and limited outpatient care , which should be core elements of a functioning insurance system.
• Benefit gaps some members report minimal reimbursement caps that hardly cover actual costs in many clinics.

These frustrations persist even as the SHA expands, highlighting the gap between health financing and effective service delivery.

Not for All

The promise of SHA is universal coverage, but in practice access still varies.

For example:

• Children under five typically receive free care at most public hospitals. a policy that has provided real relief to many families.
• However, not all outpatient services are covered widely, and many Kenyans feel that the contributions they make are not yielding proportional benefits.

Some argue that specific groups — like civil servants — receive more complete access under current rules, while others face limited benefits. This discrepancy affects public perception of fairness in the system.

But Why?

The government reportedly spent KSh 104.8 billion on a billing system intended for public healthcare facilities. Critics argue that such systems should be standardized across both public and private facilities to improve claims tracking, reduce fraud, and increase oversight.

When every facility uses a unified digital billing and claims system, it becomes easier to monitor where funds are going and to flag anomalies before they become huge losses.

Zero Transparency

A recurring problem is weak enforcement of laws and weak accountability for fraud and misuse of funds. Even when irregularities are identified, few responsible parties face consequences. Without robust leadership and commitment to justice, the system will continue to leak resources.

Effective governance could push Kenya closer to a system where basic healthcare is truly affordable and reliably available.

It is Still Little

SHA collects roughly KSh 5.4 billion per month in contributions. While this is a significant amount, it still may not be enough to cover the full cost of comprehensive healthcare, especially if losses from fraud and inefficiencies continue. A more efficient, transparent system could make these funds go further for patients.

Way Forward

Kenya’s Social Health Authority represents an important step toward universal health coverage, but significant reforms are still required. Strengthening fraud prevention, standardizing billing systems, ensuring consistent availability of essential medicines, expanding equitable access to benefits, and enforcing accountability are all critical to the success of the system.

If these issues are addressed, SHA has the potential to evolve into a healthcare financing system that genuinely protects Kenyans from the financial burden of illness and delivers meaningful health outcomes.

I’m often asked, “What book are you currently reading?”
That question pushed me to pause and reflect on what I had actually been reading—and why.

In 2025, my reading was intentional. The central theme was money, not out of obsession, but out of necessity. In the 21st century, money has quietly become one of the most determining factors in how we live, work, and make choices.

I work in the pharmaceutical industry an industry that moves billions of dollars yet many professionals within it struggle to achieve financial security. That contradiction forced me to rethink what I believed about money, value creation, and professional growth. It ultimately shaped my reading choices throughout the year.

I went down the rabbit hole trying to understand why this gap exists and what separates industries and individuals that thrive from those that merely survive. That curiosity naturally led me toward business, strategy, productivity, and systems thinking.

One idea kept resurfacing across almost everything I read:

Money is made by solving a problem that many people need solved.

Put simply: create value, find people willing to pay for it, and repeat.

The books below have significantly shaped how I now think about money, work, health, strategy, and long-term success. What follows are my key takeaways and honest reflections on each of them.

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Outlive – Peter Attia

I would recommend this book 100% to any healthcare provider.

This is one of the hardest yet most useful books I have ever read. I picked it up after seeing it recommended by a YouTuber as one of the best books they had read that year, and I thought it would be a good addition to my list. It turned out to be far more demanding than I expected.

The book took me months to finish. The opening chapters were especially difficult because of the seriousness of the subject matter and the heavy medical terminology. I often found myself reading at a very slow pace, sometimes pausing for days before continuing. In fact, I finished two other shorter books while still working my way through this one.

Things began to click for me when I reached the chapter on Understanding Alzheimer’s, and later when he introduced the idea of thinking tactically. From that point, the book became less intimidating and more practical.

Outlive helped me better understand diseases associated with old age—cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions. Peter Attia strongly emphasizes the role of genetics in determining future health outcomes, while repeatedly reinforcing the idea that many of these diseases are preventable. Where prevention isn’t possible, early diagnosis and slowing disease progression become critical.

If you’re not interested in reading the entire book, I’d recommend skipping straight to the sections on exercise, nutrition, sleep, emotional health, and medications. The part where he explains exercise and sustainable weight loss is especially eye-opening.

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The E-Myth – Michael E. Gerber

One of my customers once asked me:

“Do they teach how to run a pharmacy business in school? Because I keep looking for this drug and no one seems to have it…”

That question immediately came to mind when I started reading The E-Myth. I wondered whether the book might have answers that could help many struggling business owners—and it absolutely does.

Most pharmacy owners are the business. Remove the owner, and the business collapses. What surprised me is that even large businesses with well-defined job descriptions suffer from the same problem.

The challenge arises when:

There’s more work to do than you can possibly get done.

You become the manager, salesperson, marketer, cleaner, accountant—everything.

Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists know their technical work very well: handling difficult customers, dispensing prescriptions, patient counselling, organizing the pharmacy, understanding regulations. But when it comes to strategic work—the entrepreneurial work that leads to growth—many struggle.

Michael Gerber explains this through storytelling, outlining the stages of a business: infancy, adolescence, and maturity. From my observation, most businesses are stuck in adolescence because most owners operate as technicians rather than entrepreneurs.

The Entrepreneurial Perspective asks, “How must the business work?”
The Technician’s Perspective asks, “What work has to be done?”

This book is essential reading for anyone interested in building a business that works as a system—not one that collapses when the owner steps away.

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Slow Productivity – Cal Newport

The concept of this book is simple:

1. Do fewer things
2. Work at a natural pace
3. Obsess over quality

There’s a common belief that running a pharmacy 24 hours a day automatically increases revenue, or that employees must always appear busy for productivity to exist.

For many business owners:

Productivity equals “working all the time.”

But this definition lacks clear goals or performance measures that distinguish between doing a job well and doing it poorly.

Reading Slow Productivity forced me to rethink what we should actually consider as “work” in the pharmacy sector. Although Cal Newport focuses on knowledge work, the principles apply strongly to supervisors and decision-makers.

Consider two pharmacies making daily sales of KES 50,000. Pharmacy A operates from 9am–8pm. Pharmacy B operates from 7am–midnight. Using revenue alone, it makes little sense to say Pharmacy B is more productive—especially when you factor in staffing, cleaning, and operational fatigue.

In both cases, the same result is produced, but the force driving changes in methods is productivity.

The takeaway is simple: balance effort with outcomes. Do fewer things, work at a natural pace, and obsess over quality.

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This Is Strategy – Seth Godin

At first glance, this book feels like a collection of tweets or old-school blog posts. Over 200 of these reflections are compiled into This Is Strategy.

The book doesn’t tell you what to do. Instead, it gives direction toward why and who you should focus on.

Strategy is not a set of tactics or short-term wins. It’s a philosophy of becoming—being clear about the change you want to make and who you want to change, understanding the systems and games around you, and committing to a long-term path.

Godin emphasizes that tactics change, but strategy doesn’t.

To me, strategy means knowing when to capitalize on an opportunity and when not to. It’s about deciding who you’re serving, what change you want to make, and what you will consistently say no to.

He outlines four pillars of strategy: systems, time, games, and empathy each deeply relevant to running a pharmacy or any service-based business.

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Million Dollar Weekend – Noah Kagan

Who doesn’t want to make a million dollars in one weekend?

I’ll admit—I fell for the clickbait. But it turned out to be a very interesting read. The book is especially useful for anyone looking to launch a product, whether that’s an app, a supplement, or a service tied to pharmacy operations.

The core lessons are simple and recurring:

1. Find a real problem people have
2. Craft an irresistible solution backed by basic market research

Reading this book helped me realize there is very little pharmacy-related content that people are proud to read, learn from, and share. That gap alone represents an opportunity.

Spoiler alert: I haven’t made a dollar yet.

Noah Kagan explains that most people fail not because of lack of skill or intelligence, but because of fear—fear of starting and fear of asking. I plan to test some of the ideas from this book on a product I’m currently working on and document the process here.

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The Diary of a CEO – Steven Bartlett

I listened to Steven Bartlett’s podcast consistently throughout 2025, so reading this book felt like a natural extension.

The book is built around 33 laws grouped into four pillars: the self, the story, the philosophy, and the team. He introduces the idea of filling five buckets in order: what you know, what you can do, who you know, what you have, and what the world thinks of you.

Several stories stood out to me, especially those relevant to leadership, brand building, and reputation—areas many pharmacy owners underestimate.

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The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

I couldn’t stop reading this book once I started. It left me wondering why it took me so long to pick it up.

I won’t say much to preserve the sense of discovery I experienced, but three lessons stood out clearly:

• Everyone has a unique purpose. Fulfillment comes from having the courage to pursue what truly matters, even when the path is uncertain.
• Growth and wisdom come through experiences, challenges, and failures not just the final achievement.
• Intuition and “omens” guide us when we pay attention. Life often communicates what we need to know if we’re willing to listen.

Conclusion

As I move into 2026, my focus won’t be on reading more books for the sake of it, but on turning ideas into systems, experiments, and better decisions inside the pharmacy.

I’ll continue reading – especially in business and productivity – but with a stronger bias toward execution. Learning without application has limits. The goal now is to consume thoughtfully and create deliberately.

In short: read with intent, act faster, and build more than I absorb.

I have been following these medicines for more than a decade, and I want to highlight a pattern that is becoming increasingly consistent.

Prednisolone, Diclofenac, Cetirizine, Chlorpheniramine, Amoxicillin, Omeprazole.

Let us focus on prednisolone, diclofenac, and omeprazole because of their heavy use in most healthcare facilities.

These are among the most commonly sold medicines in the community pharmacies I have visited, and in many cases, it is the client not the prescriber who requests them.

My aim is not to accuse, but to help us know more, learn more, and at least begin thinking about how we can respond better to what is happening.

I know that many pharmaceutical technologists and pharmacists have dispensed these medicines over the counter without fully exploring why the patient is buying them. The consistently high usage may be a surface indication of a much deeper and growing problem within our community.

When I was an intern in a hospital setting, I remember doing inventory in the main pharmacy. I noticed that medicines such as amoxicillin, cotrimoxazole, antihypertensives, and others came in very large quantities, while a particular brand of omeprazole arrived in only two packets. At the time, I wondered, “There must be very few patients with conditions that require this medicine.”

Later, I realized that although omeprazole was prescribed for short periods usually one to two months it was prescribed far less frequently compared to antihypertensive or antidiabetic medicines.

However, after I started working in the community, I observed a steady increase in the use of both omeprazole and diclofenac over the years.

This raises an important question: what is driving this increased and sustained use?

One explanation could be population growth, leading to higher overall demand. But my bigger concern is the continuous and repeated use of these medicines. Many people do not adhere to recommended dosages, and even among those who follow treatment properly and feel better, the problem often returns after a few months.

This clearly points to issues of poor compliance, inappropriate use, and possible treatment failure.

What stands out is that many people are struggling with pain, gut health, and respiratory problems.

For now, I will set respiratory issues aside and focus on pain and gut health.

Pain

Pain can be a major obstacle to daily life. While everyone experiences pain at some point, chronic pain is different it forces people to rely on painkillers for long-term relief.

The painkiller of choice, unfortunately, is almost always diclofenac.

Its use has become so common that it is widely recommended from one person to another, even for something as simple as a headache. Painkillers, especially potent ones like diclofenac, should not be used without proper diagnosis and monitoring, yet this medicine is being used casually and repeatedly.

Gut Health

For many people who do not prepare meals at home, stomach problems have become a regular occurrence. What starts as a simple stomach upset or diarrhea often progresses, over time, into chronic gastric problems and ulcers.

Food safety standards are frequently ignored. Cooking oil is recycled excessively, hygiene is compromised, and cost-cutting takes priority over quality. Many people eat what is available, not what is healthy, and this gradually takes a toll on their gut health.

Water quality also plays a role. Inadequately treated drinking water may be contributing significantly to widespread gastrointestinal problems.

These are observations and speculations, not conclusions but they are important signals. They highlight areas that deserve closer examination, data collection, and deliberate decision-making.

Conclusion

What is clear so far is that many people are struggling with persistent pain and poor gut health, yet the underlying causes are rarely addressed. Instead, we are repeatedly treating symptoms with the same medicines—often without adequate assessment, follow-up, or patient education.

As pharmacy professionals, we are in a unique position to notice these patterns early. If we pause, ask better questions, and engage patients beyond the sale, we may begin to shift from simply dispensing medicines to genuinely improving health outcomes. These medicines are not the problem on their own but how, why, and how often they are being used should concern us all.

In recent days, there has been a global eruption of interest in the future of AI (robotics) and civilization, largely occasioned by Elon Musk’s statements across interviews and social media.

The economic impact of AI is well understood by a few global leaders such as Jensen, Sam, and Elon. The growing challenge and opportunity for Kenyan businesses is to understand this impact more deeply and learn how to position themselves to benefit from it.

“If I could, I would certainly slow down AI and robotics, but I can’t,” Elon says in an interview on the Katie Miller podcast.

To understand what’s really happening, we must get to the heart of the matter. With this in mind, I prompted ChatGPT to tell me five ways AI can be used in the pharmacy ecosystem.

This is because I don’t like hearing the idea that I will be replaced by a robot. Many people are also not prepared for the idea that they may have to leave the 9–5 jobs they have grown addicted to.

The real question is: what would you do with your free time?

What AI offers feels like paradise something I never imagined would be prescribed to us this way, by the predictions of a rich billionaire.

Tell me, who doesn’t want the following:

• Not having to work
• Being provided with all goods and services one could possibly want
• Or work becoming optional

There would be an abundance of time to venture into meaningful activities, such as spending time with loved ones and travelling to great places.

But before that time arrives, AI can be used today as a companion. We should see it as a tool that makes work easier.

That is why I asked AI to explain how it could be useful in the pharmacy sector.

This is what I got:

AI can support pharmacists with instant, standardized counselling prompts covering dosage, side effects, interactions, and lifestyle advice ensuring every patient receives the same high-quality information, regardless of who is on duty.

AI systems can flag potential drug–drug interactions, duplicate therapies, dosing errors (age, weight, renal function), and allergy risks in real time, acting as a second safety net before dispensing.

By analyzing sales trends, seasonality, disease outbreaks, and prescribing patterns, AI can help pharmacies predict stock needs, reduce expiries, prevent stock-outs, and improve cash flow.

AI can automate refill reminders, adherence nudges, chronic disease check-ins, and health education messages turning the pharmacy into a continuous care partner rather than just a point of sale.

From staff scheduling and workflow optimization to identifying high-margin products and underperforming categories, AI can help pharmacy owners make better decisions faster while freeing pharmacists to focus on patient care.

There is a lot to unpack here, but first, let’s look at the day-to-day operations of a real pharmacy environment:

• Cleaning the store, including dusting shelves
• Billing and collecting cash from patients
• Dispensing medicines and writing prescription labels
• Picking client calls
• Interacting with clients online or through WhatsApp
• Receiving stock from suppliers
• Posting stock into inventory systems, including updating batches and expiries
• Pre-packing medicines and counting tablets
• Clinical monitoring
• Responding to questions from hospital clinicians
• Over-the-counter consultations
• Regulatory compliance
• Pharmacovigilance

So what are the findings when we compare this to what AI can do?

• Most tasks pharmacists perform today are already within AI’s capabilities. This means one pharmacist could potentially do the work of ten, freeing up a significant amount of time.
• Clinicians who consult pharmacists for critical dosing and treatment regimens may eventually bypass pharmacists altogether, since AI can provide faster and more accurate answers.
• Pharmaceutical technologists may still have more hands-on roles, but AI will make their work easier and free up time for other activities.
• Most pharmacy operations will be optimized, but overall, the pharmacy profession appears set to decline.

Way forward

There are many aspects of the profession that pharmacists take pride in designing patient regimens, joining clinicians on ward rounds, discussing medication therapy, and pharmacovigilance. In the coming years, much of this may slowly disappear.

This will leave pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists with more free time, even for those who remain employed.

However, most employers are uncomfortable seeing staff idle. Employees are often expected to be doing something, even when there is little to do.

So, is it possible to create an environment where professionals can express their skills without the constant pressure of productivity?

The answer remains: it depends.

Some pharmacies remain extremely busy, with staff in a continuous loop of pulling medicines from cabinets and dispensing until the shift ends. Others enjoy long idle hours and get busy only at rush hours.

Crowded pharmacies may remain so for a long time, until the idea of filling prescriptions online becomes widely accepted. That shift is still far away.

So how are pharmacists surviving?

To be honest, I don’t fully understand the logic behind how pharmacists are aligning themselves with the AI effect, but I am observing the following:

• Some are taking up part-time jobs
• Others are doing remote work
• A group is moving into consulting
• Many are enrolling in nursing, public health, or business administration

The future, then, is not really about whether AI will replace pharmacists, but about how pharmacists will redefine their value in a world where thinking, checking, and predicting are no longer uniquely human tasks. Time, once scarce, may become the most abundant resource, and how it is used will matter more than titles, shifts, or job descriptions. Those who wait for clarity may be overtaken by it, while those who engage early, experiment, and adapt may discover that AI does not erase professional identity but forces it to evolve. Whether this transition leads to decline or renewal will depend less on the technology itself and more on how willing we are to rethink what meaningful work looks like in the age of intelligent machines.

I am interested to see how this will look over the next ten years.

In May 2023, I came across a post on X (formerly Twitter) by @RobertAlai, who was looking for Flugone capsules. He mentioned that they work well for him but that he was having trouble finding them in many Kenyan pharmacies.

I was surprised — Flugone is a common medicine for managing colds and flu. I had just cleared my stock and was waiting for the next batch, so I picked up my phone and called three friends who work with major distributors to find out what was going on.

They all gave the same response: Flugone was out of stock, and no one knew when it would be back. Some chemists on the outskirts of Nairobi still had a few packs, but they had hiked the prices.

So, Why Do Drugs Go Out of Stock?

Drug shortages happen more often than most people realize. Even everyday medicines like Flugone or Panadol Cold & Flu can disappear from shelves for months, leaving both patients and pharmacies frustrated.

When a medicine goes out of stock, the first step is to find out:

1. Why it’s out of stock.
2. How long the shortage is expected to last.
3. Whether there are alternatives you can use in the meantime.

Usually, the problem lies somewhere in the supply chain. The importer might be facing regulatory delays, a product could have been recalled or discontinued, or there may be a temporary shortage due to short expiry dates or manufacturing issues.

Your approach should always be clinical — identify the specific cause and respond appropriately instead of panicking or guessing.

A Real Example

In 2024, a shortage of Ventolin inhalers hit the market due to increased demand and shipping delays. Many patients were forced to pay more or switch to more expensive alternatives.

However, pharmacies that anticipated the shortage and stocked up early not only served their repeat patients reliably but also made good profits.

This is a fundamental business principle — when demand exceeds supply, those who plan and source smartly always win.

A Five-Point Approach to Managing Stock-Outs

Here’s a practical approach I’ve used to manage medicine shortages effectively:

1. Stock in advance.
2. Offer an alternative generic.
3. Call other pharmacies for help.
4. Ask the doctor to prescribe something else.
5. Know when to stop looking.

1. Stock in Advance

Stocking well is your insurance policy against frequent stock-outs. Review your purchase history and forecast seasonal demand.

For example:

• Cold and flu medicines move faster during the rainy or cold seasons.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) fast movers peak during festive seasons like Easter and Christmas when most suppliers close for the holidays.

Be tactical — stock just enough to meet demand without overstocking.

2. Offer an Alternative Generic

When possible, switch to medicines with the same active ingredient but different brands.

For example, azithromycin is available from many manufacturers under various brand names. Explain to your patients that the active ingredient is the same — only the manufacturer differs.

However, avoid substituting prescription medicines without consulting the doctor first. Some medicines are urgent, so if substitution isn’t possible, consider sourcing the exact product as the patient waits.

3. Call Other Pharmacies

Maintain a good relationship with neighboring pharmacies. When you’re out of stock, one of them might still have it and can sell to you at trade price.

If you work in a chain pharmacy, make use of inter-branch transfers to balance stock across branches.

4. Ask the Doctor to Prescribe Something Else

If the medicine is unavailable across all channels, contact the prescribing doctor. They can recommend an alternative or adjust the prescription.

Sometimes, it’s easier for the patient to go back to the doctor for a revised prescription.

5. Know When to Stop Looking

Some drugs will never return to the market. For example, Nizoral was discontinued due to safety concerns about liver injury, yet some patients kept searching for it years later.

When you encounter such cases:

• Inform the doctor that the drug has been discontinued.
• Recommend safe, available alternatives.
• Educate the patient so they understand why the medicine is no longer supplied and don’t waste time searching for it.

Final Thoughts

Stock-outs are part of pharmacy life, but how you handle them defines the kind of service your pharmacy delivers.

By anticipating shortages, communicating clearly with patients and doctors, and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and fellow pharmacists, you can turn a frustrating situation into a moment of trust-building — and even a business advantage.

Are you looking to buy On Call Plus glucometer for yourself or someone else but are still undecided?

If you already own one, keep reading to learn more!

On Call Plus is an affordable glucometer that has been a staple in the Kenyan market for many years, earning positive reviews from healthcare providers and home users alike.
In this review, we’ll explore On Call Plus in detail to help you get started.

When choosing a glucometer, there are several factors to consider. Among the most important are availability and cost.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• On Call Plus (Key Features)
• Why Should You Get On Call Plus Glucometer?
• How to Use On Call Plus Glucometer
• Recommended Blood Glucose Readings
• Pros and Cons
• On Call Plus Price
• Battery Information

Before diving into the key features, let’s briefly outline everything you’ll need when monitoring your blood sugar levels using any glucometer:

• Glucometer and strips
• Lancets
• Alcohol swabs or surgical spirit
• Cotton wool

Note: Lancets and alcohol swabs/spirit must be purchased separately after buying the glucometer and strips.

On Call Plus (Key Features)

On Call Plus kit includes:

• Glucometer
• Test strips
• Lancing device
• Lancets

This device delivers results in less than 10 seconds and can store up to 300 records, including test results, dates, and times.

Why Should You Get On Call Plus Glucometer?

• It is easy to use and compact, making it portable.
• The glucometer and strips are affordable and widely available in most chemists, pharmacies, and online stores.
• It is beginner-friendly, even for users who have never operated a glucometer before.

How to Use On Call Plus Glucometer

Before using On Call Plus, ask your healthcare provider to set the date and time or refer to the user manual for guidance.

Follow these steps:

1. Wear gloves if testing someone else.
2. Clean the fingertip using an alcohol swab or surgical spirit.
3. Insert a strip into the glucometer.
4. Prick your finger with a lancet to obtain a blood sample.
5. Place the blood sample on the test strip, and the glucometer will display the result.

Recommended Blood Glucose Readings

Blood glucose levels vary based on factors such as age, medication use, diabetes duration, or other medical conditions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends normal fasting blood glucose levels between 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) and 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L).

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Affordable
• Easy to use
• Readily available strips
• Clear, easy-to-read display

Cons:

• Test strips must be discarded three months after opening the vial.

On Call Plus Price

Prices may vary depending on the seller. Below are the average retail costs:

• On Call Plus glucometer: Ksh 2,500/-
• On Call Plus strips: Ksh 1,000/-

Battery Information

On Call Plus glucometer uses a 3V CR2032 lithium battery, which is readily available in supermarkets, electronic shops, chemists, and pharmacies.

Final Thoughts

On Call Plus is an affordable, easy-to-use glucometer with widely available strips, making it an excellent choice for anyone managing their blood sugar levels. Its proven track record in the healthcare market ensures reliability and durability.

Using WhatsApp for business opens up endless possibilities to create a productive and engaging experience.

Most people know WhatsApp for personal use—chatting, sharing memes, updating statuses, and other social activities.

However, on the business side, WhatsApp has become a valuable tool for connecting companies with their customers.

So, how are you utilizing WhatsApp for your pharmacy business? Let’s explore whether you’re making the most of it.

We’ll cover the following key aspects:

1. Your Profile
2. Status Updates
3. Customer Engagement
4. Greeting Messages
5. Product Catalog

Let’s dive in, starting with the most essential element of communication—your profile.

Your Profile

Think of your profile as the face of your business or the signage at your storefront. A complete and professional profile gives your clients a clear understanding of who you are and what you offer.

Your profile should include:

• A profile picture that reflects your business
• A short business description
• Your website link (if available)
• Opening hours
• A pinned location for physical stores

The most important aspect of your profile is what it communicates when clients save your contact and visit your profile. It should answer these key questions:

• What does your business do?
• How can clients access your products or services?
• When are you available?

Status Updates

To post memes or not? That’s entirely up to you—but always consider your audience and the tone you want to set for your business.

Your business is dynamic, like a living organism. Keeping your WhatsApp status updated shows your customers, “Hey, I’m here and ready for you!”

Use this feature to:

• Share offers and promotions
• Educate your audience
• Highlight services or products

The goal is to engage your audience and drive conversions. Include strong calls to action (CTAs) in your updates to encourage inquiries or sales. Keep it concise and avoid overloading your audience with too many updates.

Engaging Customers

Customer engagement is critical, but many businesses misstep by over-chatting.

When a customer inquires about a product, focus on addressing their needs:

1. If the product is available, share its details, including images and prices.
2. If it’s unavailable, offer an alternative where possible.
3. Guide the conversation towards the next step, such as “Would you like to order it now?”

If a customer has multiple questions or concerns, suggest a phone call for a quicker resolution. Most clients will appreciate the efficiency, often leading to a successful transaction.

Greeting Messages

An automated greeting like “Hi there! How can I assist you today?” can set the tone for interaction.

However, this should be used thoughtfully. In some cases, a standard greeting might feel generic, especially when a client dives straight into their inquiry.

To address this, consider using quick replies. These save time and maintain consistency without sounding robotic.

Product Catalog

The catalog feature allows you to showcase your products directly within WhatsApp. For businesses with a smaller inventory (under 20 items), which is unlikely for a pharmacy business, listing all products works well.

For larger inventories, highlight:

• Bestsellers
• New arrivals
• Special offers
• Clearance items

Note that WhatsApp may decline to list certain products, so ensure your catalog complies with their guidelines.

Final Thoughts

WhatsApp is a powerful tool for connecting with your customers. If you’re not already using it for your business, now is the time to start! Explore its features, experiment, and refine your approach for a better customer experience.

What are your thoughts? Share your experiences and ideas!

Pharmacovigilance – a term so commonly recognized among healthcare providers that most understand ‘pharmacovigilance’ at a surface level, without exploring its full scope beyond just knowing it as pharmacovigilance.

Many are familiar with pharmacovigilance as it pertains to reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and ensuring medication safety.

However, the depth of pharmacovigilance, its regulatory aspects, and its role in post-marketing drug safety can sometimes be overlooked.

According to the pharmacy and poisons board (PPB), many reportable cases, particularly in community pharmacies, remain unreported. This gap highlights a critical need for increased vigilance and reporting practices to enhance patient safety and monitor potential adverse effects effectively.

In these notes, we will highlight some of the most important aspects of pharmacovigilance. To help you get started, we’ll cover the following key topics:

1. What is pharmacovigilance?
2. Why is pharmacovigilance important?
3. Who can report and how (in Kenya)
4. What can you report as a pharmacovigilance helper?
5. What are the pharmacovigilance reporting tools?
6. What does the PPB do with pharmacovigilance data?

What is pharmacovigilance?

Pharmacovigilance is the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problem (WHO 2024).

Why is pharmacovigilance important?

Pharmacovigilance is essential for patient safety, yet several barriers can hinder effective reporting.

These include fear of consequences, time constraints, lack of training, a blame culture among healthcare workers, and the need for organizational support and leadership.

However, these challenges should not discourage reporting, as the benefits of pharmacovigilance far outweigh the obstacles.

Here is why pharmcovigilance is important;

• Greater understanding of medicine induced disorders
• Early signals and warning for potentially severe adverse drug reactions
• Greater awareness of agents that commonly cause medicine induced disorders
• Better patient care
• Prevention of medical product related morbidity and mortality
• Minimize immunization errors
• Huge saving in healthcare cost
• Better patient confidence and trust
• Rational drug use

Who can report and how in Kenya

Anyone can report adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and other safety concerns related to medications, including:

1. Healthcare Providers – consultants, physicians, pharmacists, pharmaceutical technologists, clinicians, nurses, dentists and lab personnel.
2. Patients and Caregivers.
3. Pharmaceutical Companies.

Reporting can be done through this ways;

Using this link: PvERS: the Pharmacovigilance Electronic Reporting System

Dial:  *271# on your mobile phone

What can you report as a pharmacovigilance helper?

1. Adverse events
2. Side effects
3. Adverse drug reactions
4. Medication errors
5. Adverse events following immunization
6. Blood transfusion reaction
7. Incidences following use of medical devices

Pharmacovigilance reporting tools

When you log into the PBB’s PvERS portal, you’ll find color-coded forms designed for different types of reporting, each serving a specific purpose:

There are more in-depth guidelines on what to fill in the forms on the PvERS portal.

Below are the reporting tools found in the pharmacy and poisons board portal;

1. Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) form – White
2. Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) form – Yellow
3. Quality defects/poor quality form – Pink
4. Medical devices incidence form – Green
5. Blood transfusion reaction form – Cream/Off white
6. Medical error form – Blue
7. Patient alert card

What does the PPB do with pharmacovigilance data?

The PPB has a comprehensive pharmacovigilance system that includes various organizations, institutions, and resources dedicated to ensuring medication safety.

This system supports the timely collection, assessment, and communication of risks and benefits associated with medicines, providing essential information to aid decision-making across all levels of healthcare.

Let’s dig into the latest pharmacovigilance summary report of April 1st to June 30st 2024 (Q4) to better explain why the data is so important.

From the report we can easily get the following statistics;

1. Number of Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions (SADRs)
2. Suspected medicines
3. Commonly Reported Suspected Adverse Reactions
4. Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) (vaccines mentioned)
5. Medication Error Outcome
6. Drugs with Medication Errors

The above information is very essential for any healthcare provider in enhancing public health and patient safety.

Here are screenshots if you prefer not to open the PDF file above.

1. Screenshot showing Number of Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions (SADRs)

2. Screenshot showing Commonly Reported Suspected Adverse Reactions

3. Screenshot showing Drugs with Medication Errors

Final Thoughts

Pharmcovigilance reporting can be best achieved if most healthcare providers participate in reporting.

Why are you not reporting?

When you first start as a pharmaceutical technologist, it’s normal to make mistakes. However, each mistake is a chance to learn and grow.

Over the years, I’ve interacted with hundreds of pharmacists and pharm techs in the community pharmacies—some were great, others still learning, and quite a few were average. I’ve also trained students from the ground up, so I’ve seen mistakes happen firsthand. Through all this, I’ve learned a lot about the common missteps and how to avoid them.

In pharmacy, avoiding mistakes is crucial because even a small error can significantly impact patient health and safety.

In this article, we’ll share these experiences with you to help you avoid common pharmacy mistakes.

The goal is to help you learn from others’ mistakes when dispensing prescriptions.

Prescribing the wrong medication

It’s quite common for interns and students in preceptorship programs to misread prescriptions due to unclear handwriting, abbreviations, or poor understanding of drug names.

I’ll give examples;

Giving an ointment where it is clearly written cream.

Giving betadine antiseptic as betadine mouth wash

Thinking Moza and metoz have the same active ingredient because they are placed close to each other on the shelves.

Confusing between maxitrol and maxidex, this is because boxes look almost similar.

Xatral 10mg and Xarelto 10mg are always issued interchangeably when in a hurry.

Always double-check with the prescribing physician or use resources like drug databases.

Labeling and Dispensing Errors

It is clearly written levofloxacin 500mg once daily for five days but for no reason you proceed to write levofloxacin twice daily for five days but the tablets given are five and not enough.

Incorrect medication labeling or dispensing the wrong medication or dosage form is a very common issue for beginners but this also affects experienced pharm techs and pharmacists.

Always double-check the label against the prescription before dispensing. When you finish preparing the medicines go through the medicines on the prescription one by one counter-checking with your label as you give to the patient.

Poor Communication

Do not assume that the patient knows how to take a particular medicine, even for common medicines like amoxicillin and cetirizine, which are well-known. Ensure that you have labeled everything correctly, mentioned all necessary information, and explained what the patient can expect.

Many pharm techs have a tendency of not clearly explaining medication instructions, potential side effects, or drug interactions to patients especially in community pharmacies where services are often perceived as similar to fast-food services.

However, this should not be the case, always take your time, use clear, concise language and ask patients to repeat instructions back to ensure understanding.

Failure to Check for Drug Interactions or Allergies

There are several tools available on the internet for checking drug interactions. Websites like Drugs.com, Medscape, and WebMD offer databases that allow for quick interaction checks. Using these resources can help you make a more informed initial decision before consulting other reference books like the BNF, Drug Index and Martindale.

For a pharm tech that doesn’t pay attention to detail it is easier to miss potential drug interactions or allergies in the patient’s profile.

Therefore, when more than two drugs are prescribed, use pharmacy software to check for interactions and allergies, and always review the patient’s medication history.

Inadequate Patient Counseling

Simon, a patient recently diagnosed with asthma, has started using inhalers but complains they are not helping much.

A good question to ask Simon would be, “How have you been using your inhaler?”

Let them explain to you without interrupting them, maybe they are not using it correctly and by explaining the correct way of handling the inhaler, the treatment outcome will improve.

By not providing enough information on how to use medications, side effects, or what to do if a dose is missed you are technically unhelpful to the patient.

So, prioritize counseling for new prescriptions, especially for chronic diseases, and offer additional reading information for their use at home if available.

Not Keeping up with Changes in Medications or Guidelines

The Pharmacy and Poison’s Board has made it a requirement to earn 40 CPD points for license renewal. This helps pharm techs and pharmacists stay up-to-date, but you can go above and beyond by continuing to read and learn on your own.

There is no better excuse for dispensing outdated medications or not being aware of new treatment guidelines yet there is so much information out there for free.

Stay updated with continuous education, attend seminars, and read pharmaceutical journals regularly

Overlooking Non-Prescription Interaction

Some supplements, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, can interact with antibiotics. Additionally, cold and flu medications like Lemsip contain paracetamol, which might also be an ingredient in painkillers, leading to potential overdose if combined.

Therefore, not asking patients about their use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, supplements, or herbal remedies might lead to a potential interaction with what you are giving unknowingly.

Always inquire about all medications, including non-prescription items, when dispensing or recommending a new drug.

Incorrect Dosage Calculations

It is a common challenge for pharm techs miscalculating dosages, particularly for pediatric or elderly patients who may require adjusted doses.

For most pediatric patients, dosage is dependent on weight, so it is always recommended to double-check your calculations, especially for high-risk medications.

Are you looking for the best wholesale supplier for your pharmacy?

Most pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors are reliable, adhering to high standards of quality and regulatory compliance. However, there are so many that it becomes difficult to choose one.

To assist you in finding a reliable supplier, we have selected the top pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors for you to choose from.

How to Choose the Best Pharmaceutical Supplier

These are the key factors to consider;

1. Make sure the products they supply are of high quality; don’t accept broken or soiled packages.
2. They must be reliable, with a good supply chain, to meet delivery timelines consistently.
3. Must be registered and compliant with pharmacy and poison’s board (PPB) regulations.
4. Their customer service support and this takes into account policies on product returns, especially for damaged or expired goods.
5. The supplier’s reputation within the pharmaceutical industry, including feedback from other healthcare providers and customers.

Nila Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Nila Pharmacy is a key player in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in the importation of pharmaceutical and surgical products.

With its main office located in Ruaraka Baba Dogo Rd II, Premier Industrial Park, the pharmacy operates both retail and wholesale distribution channels.

It offers a broad selection of pharmaceutical and over-the-counter (OTC) products at competitive and fair prices.

Nila Pharmacy operates 17 outlets, with some focusing on retail services and others dedicated to wholesale distribution. Wholesale services are accessible at their branches in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Eldoret, offering convenient options for bulk pharmaceutical and surgical product purchases.

Phone: +254 721 427 832

Email: nila@nilapharm.com

Omaera Pharmaceutical Ltd

Omaera Pharmaceutical Limited is a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler based in Nairobi, located next to Twiga Construction Ltd, Zaf Holding Godowns, Baba Dogo Rd, Nairobi.

As a prominent importer, wholesaler, and distributor, Omaera is known for providing high-quality and affordable healthcare products.

Their extensive range of offerings caters to the needs of pharmacies, healthcare providers, and retailers, ensuring access to reliable and competitively priced pharmaceutical products across Kenya.

Phone: 0728 970777

Email: omaeraltd@gmail.com

Generics Africa Ltd

Generics Africa Ltd, located in Aqua Plaza Office Suites, 5th Floor Murang’a Road, specializes in both generic and branded UK pharmaceutical products.

As a global exporter and importer, Generics Africa is known for sourcing “hard-to-obtain medicines”, making it a reliable partner for healthcare providers in Kenya.

Operating as both a wholesaler and distributor, they offer a wide range of quality pharmaceutical products, ensuring efficient service in Kenya.

Phone: 020 2010103

Email:  info@genericsafrica.com

Krishna Chemists Ltd

Krishna Chemists is one of the leading pharmaceutical importers and distributors in the Kenya, located in Industrial Area, 3^rd Floor Metrix Hardware, Lusaka Road.

The pharmacy offers a comprehensive range of products, including generic and branded medications, as well as over-the-counter (OTC) items.

With a commitment to quality and accessibility, Krishna Chemists serves as a reliable source for healthcare providers and consumers seeking a diverse selection of pharmaceutical products.

Phone:  +254 722 366 988, +254 715 946 380, Whatsapp  +254 722 366 988

Email: sales@krishnachemists.com

Transchem Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Transchem Pharmacy offers affordable and competitive prices, making it a go-to choice for the cheapest retail prices in Kenya.

The pharmacy operates both retail and wholesale services which caters to bulk customers with a variety of products.

Major wholesale operations are conducted at their Uchumi house brance, which serves as a hub for their distribution network. With ten branches spread across various parts of Kenya, Transchem ensures that quality healthcare products are accessible to all customers.

Eldohosp Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Eldohosp Pharmaceutical Limited is a prominent distributor of pharmaceutical and allied products, with its head office located in Eldoret.

The pharmacy supplies a wide range of institutions, hospitals, distributors, and major chain pharmacies across Kenya.

Eldohosp offers an extensive selection of branded, original, and generic drugs that are registered in Kenya, ensuring that healthcare providers have access to high-quality medications and healthcare solutions.

Phone: +254-726 941 999 | +254-736 662 222 | +254-728 431 531 | +254-712 891 862 |

Email: sales@epl.co.ke

Surgipharm Ltd

Surgipharm Limited is recognized for its extensive range of pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, surgical consumables, orthopedic items and therapeutic nutritional supplements.

With locations in Mombasa and Nairobi, Surgipharm specializes in the importation and distribution of high-quality healthcare products, ensuring that both healthcare providers and patients have access to essential medical supplies and equipment.

Contact: 0722204707, 0734224228

Sales inquiries – sales@surgipharm.com

Laborex Pharmacy Ltd

Laborex  is one of the oldest pharmacies in East Africa, recognized as a leader in the importation, distribution, and marketing of pharmaceutical products.

As the first pharmaceutical company to be ISO 9001:2000 certified in Kenya, Laborex Kenya Ltd has established a reputation for quality and reliability.

With extensive experience in both pharmaceuticals and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), Laborex Kenya is dedicated to providing high-quality products and services to meet the needs of healthcare providers and consumers alike.

Phone: +254 206 939000, +254 722 203000, +254 709 868000

Email: sales@laborex-kenya.com

Philmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Philmed Limited is a pharmaceutical distribution company specializing in the wholesale distribution of a variety of products.

With its main office located in Kayole Pinnacle Business Center, Philmed serves as a reliable supplier of generic medicines, particularly catering to chemists in estates “mataani” and rural areas.

The company is dedicated to ensuring access to quality healthcare products, making it an essential partner for local pharmacies and healthcare providers.

Phone: 0718 005867

Eastleigh Pharamaceutical Co. Ltd

Eastleigh Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd is a leading importer, distributor, and marketer of a comprehensive range of pharmaceutical products across Kenya.

With a strong presence in key regions, including Nairobi, Eldoret, Thika, Meru, and Nakuru, the company offers highly competitive pricing across its product portfolio.

The main branch is located in Eastleigh 14 street, 2nd Avenue, serving as the central hub for its operations. Eastleigh’s end-to-end pharmaceutical solutions make it a trusted partner for healthcare providers, ensuring efficient supply chain management and access to quality medicines throughout the country.

Phone: +254 113 835 282

Email: info@eastleighpharma.co.ke

Kentons Limited

Kentons Limited, located in Kisumu is known for offering the lowest prices in Kenya on a wide range of pharmaceutical and surgical products.

Specializing in both branded and generic medicines, as well as veterinary supplies, they ensure the availability of high-quality products with overnight delivery options.

Kentons also stocks essential over-the-counter (OTC) medications and offers low minimum order value for distribution, making it a convenient choice for pharmacies and healthcare providers looking for reliable and cost-effective supply solutions.

If you own or manage a pharmacy and would like more information or wish to place an order, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them using the contact details provided below.

Phone: 0800 202 5009 (toll free), 0734 222 222, 0725 555 666, 0718 669 243 (Whatsapp)

Email: sales@kentons.net

BelEa Pharmacy

BelEa Pharmacy is a leading company specializing in the distribution, retail, and importation of a diverse range of essential products.

Their offerings focus on human and veterinary medicines, surgical items, hospital equipment, laboratory chemicals and reagents, as well as agricultural chemicals and farm inputs.

With outlets in Machakos, Tala, and Kangundo, BelEa Pharmacy Ltd is known for providing great pricing and a wide selection of products, making it a reliable choice for both healthcare providers and agricultural sectors across Kenya.

Phone:  0721 700 098

Email: customercare@beleapharmacy.co.ke

Ripple Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Ripple Pharmaceuticals Ltd is a key importer and major distributor of specialty, life-saving products in East Africa. Known for its affordable pricing, the pharmacy supplies a wide range of essential medicines to both pharmacies and hospitals.

Ripple Pharmaceuticals focuses on providing medications for chronic conditions, along with over-the-counter (OTC) products, ensuring access to critical healthcare solutions in Kenya.

Phone: 0720 144459

Email: info@ripplepharma.com

Metro Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Metro Pharmaceutical Ltd is a trusted wholesaler and distributor, specializing in the supply of UK pharmaceutical products.

They offer a comprehensive range of both generic and branded medications, as well as over-the-counter (OTC) products.

With a focus on quality and reliability, Metro Pharmaceuticals serves as a dependable partner for healthcare providers and pharmacies seeking access to essential pharmaceutical supplies.

Phone: 0720 416475

Harley’s Limited

Harley’s Limited is one of East Africa’s most respected names in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and surgical products.

In addition to offering over-the-counter (OTC) products such as supplements, the pharmacy distributes a wide range of locally made and imported generic products.

As one of the oldest pharmaceutical businesses in the region, Harley’s Limited operates from five key locations in Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldore, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam, ensuring access to high-quality healthcare products across East Africa.

Phone: +254-722-202-030

Unisel Limited

Unisel Limited is a premier provider of pharmaceuticals, surgical products, medical devices, nutraceuticals, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

Located in Parklands Apricot Suites, 1st Floor, the pharmacy offers a wide range of high-quality healthcare products, catering to both individual customers and healthcare providers.

Unisel is known for its commitment to excellence and reliable service in the heart of Nairobi city.

Phone: +254790710611, +254724865776, +254728606696

Email: info@uniselltd.com

Transwide Pharmaceuticals

Transwide Pharmaceuticals is a trusted supplier of original medical devices and equipment, with its head office in Rafiki Business Park, Nairobi and branches across six locations: Nairobi CBD, Eldoret, Kisii, Meru, Nakuru, and Mombasa.

Known for being well-stocked and offering the cheapest prices, Transwide Pharmaceuticals distributes products from leading multinational companies operating in Kenya, as well as locally manufactured goods.

This ensures access to a wide range of high-quality healthcare products for medical institutions and providers throughout Kenya.

Phone: 0722 553 816, 0732 626468

Email: info@transwide.co.ke

Phillips Therapeutics Limited

Phillips Therapeutics Limited, part of the Phillip Pharma Group, stands as one of Sub Saharan Africa’s largest importers, marketers, and distributors of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and surgical equipment.

Operating across nine countries— Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritius and Namibia — Phillip Pharma Group is a leading force in the healthcare industry, ensuring the supply of high-quality products to meet the needs of healthcare providers throughout the region.

Part of Phillip Pharma Group is also Wessex Pharmaceutical Ltd and Pharma Specialties Ltd which can also be explored.

Their extensive reach and expertise make them a trusted partner across Africa.

Phone: 0733 612000

 Radbone-Clark Kenya Ltd

Radbone Clark is a company that distributes and markets a wide range of products, including personal care items, household goods, medicines, food products, and supplies for hotels, restaurants, and cafes.

Phone:  +254 722 206 310

Mission For Essential Drugs And Supplies

Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) is a faith-based, non-profit organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with a branch in Kisumu.

Phone: +254-730-160000, +254-719-086000

Email: info@meds.or.ke

BONUS TIP

When selecting a supplier, aim for one you can build a long-term relationship with, based on your specific needs.

Whether you’re looking for affordable pricing, quick delivery, excellent customer service, or other factors like reliability, it’s important to find a supplier that aligns with your business goals.

The right supplier should be able to consistently meet your expectations and adapt to your evolving needs over time.

See this improvised list below.

Good for mtaani pharmacies

• Nila
• Philmed
• Transchem

Best for co-operates

• Surgipharm
• Omaera
• Laborex

Best multipurpose

• Nila
• Harlely’s
• Eldohosp

Generic products from the UK

• Ripple
• Generics Africa
• Metro

Fast delivery

• Nila
• Omaera
• Generics africa

Reliable for long

• Elsohosp
• Nila
• Surgipharm

Best customer service

• Nila
• Omaera
• Harley’s

Best multinational products

• Surgipharm
• Laborex
• Harley’s

Good coverage

• Nila
• Surgipharm
• Philmed

Best for generic products

• Nila
• Philmed
• Kentons

Suppliements

• Unisel
• Harley’s
• Healthy U

Cheapest

• Kentons
• Eastleigh
• Philmed

Final thoughts

We’ll be updating this list regularly. Have suggestions for more reliable pharmacy wholesalers to include in the next update? Feel free to let us know!

Pharmacy First – You’ve likely heard this phrase before, but what does it actually mean in a community or retail pharmacy setting? Many clients with access to this, especially first time users aren’t sure whether they should be using pharmacy first or not.

In the months following its launch, we’ve noticed that many people are facing challenges in accessing this service, both from the perspective of providers and the consumers using it. From this experience, we’ve developed our own approach to when and how to use pharmacy first service effectively.

In this guide, we’ll clarify what pharmacy first really is, without using any complicated pharmaceutical terms. We’ll look at the real benefits and potential downsides, helping you as a healthcare provider or patient decide whether to use pharmacy first or not.

Here are the topics we’ll cover. You can use the quick links below to jump to the one that interests you the most:

• What is pharmacy first?
• Who is eligible to use the Pharmacy First service?
• How does pharmacy first work?
• What can pharmacy first treat?
• Pros and Cons of using pharmacy first
• The importance of selecting a good pharmacy

What Is Pharmacy First?

In Kenya, the pharmacy is often the first place people visit when they feel unwell, before considering a hospital for further medical care.

When you fall ill, your first thought is often about finding the easiest way to access healthcare. That’s why many patients prefer visiting a chemist or pharmacy to manage simple health conditions, avoiding long hospital queues.

For example, if you have a headache or the flu, a pharmacist can help manage these conditions, saving you both time and money compared to visiting a hospital.

This concept forms the foundation for Pharmacy first.

Pharmacy first enables retail or community pharmacies to offer medications and treat common health conditions, eliminating the need for a hospital visit—no appointment required.

Who is eligible to use the Pharmacy First service?

Currently pharmacy first service is being offered by Old Mutual and Britam insurance companies in Kenya.

Your insurance provider will advice you which pharmacy to visit for the pharmacy first service.

How does pharmacy first work?

Pharmacy first relies on pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists as the primary professionals to manage patients. Here is how it works;

1. You visit a participating pharmacy and consult with a pharmacist or pharmaceutical technologist about your symptoms.
2. The pharmacist assesses your condition and determines if it can be treated within the scope of the Pharmacy First program.
3. If appropriate, the pharmacist provides the necessary medication or advice on managing your condition.
4. If your condition requires further medical attention, the pharmacist will refer you to a hospital or another healthcare professional.
5. If the condition requires a doctor’s consultation, this can be arranged at the pharmacy through telemedicine, such as an online consultation service like SasaDoctor or Health X Africa.
6. If the condition can be managed by speaking to the doctor as above, a prescription will be send to the pharmacy and the drugs dispensed to the patient.

What can pharmacy first treat?

The Pharmacy First service allows pharmacists to prescribe for minor ailments, which typically don’t require a hospital visit and can be effectively managed with over-the-counter medications or professional advice from a pharmacist or pharmaceutical technologist.

Common minor ailments that can be treated through the Pharmacy First service include conditions such as coughs, colds, sore throats, headaches, hay fever, and allergies.

It also covers minor cuts, grazes, skin rashes, and irritations, along with cold sores, mouth ulcers, constipation, and diarrhea.

Other conditions like heartburn, indigestion, minor burns, earaches, athlete’s foot, insect bites, dry skin, and eczema can also be managed.

Additionally, issues like nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, thrush, and minor aches or pains are treatable, reducing the need for a hospital visit.

Pros and Cons of using pharmacy first

As with most things, Pharmacy First has its pros and cons. Let’s start by exploring the advantages.

Advantages of Pharmacy First

1. Convenience: You can get treatment for minor ailments without needing to book a doctors appointment, saving you time.
2. Accessibility: Pharmacies often have longer opening hours, making it easier to get help when you need it.
3. Cost-Effective: It can be cheaper than visiting a hospital or doctor, especially if you only need over-the-counter medication

Disadvantages of Pharmacy First

1. Limited Scope: Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists can only treat minor ailments. More serious conditions still require a visit to a doctor or specialist.
2. Medication Restrictions: Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists may not be able to prescribe certain medications that a doctor can.

The importance of selecting a good pharmacy

Selecting a good pharmacy is crucial because it ensures you receive high-quality care, accurate medication, and professional advice.

A trusted pharmacy offers comprehensive services like health screenings and vaccinations, helps manage your medications, and provides personalized care.

Additionally, a convenient pharmacy with reliable hours and locations makes accessing necessary medications and services easier.

Not all pharmacies provide the Pharmacy First service, even if they accept Britam and Old Mutual as at the time of writing this.

Some of the pharmacies that offer this service include:

For Old Mutual: One Stop Pharmacy, Goodlife Pharmacy, Malibu Pharmacy,  Livia Health My Dawa, Select Haltons Pharmacies, Select Inkamed Pharmacies

For Britam: Haltons PharmacyGoodLife Pharmacy Malibu Pharmacy Dovey Pharmacy, My Dawa.

Here are some quick final thoughts

1. Pharmacy first is very convenient to the patient and if managed well it will have a great positive healthcare impact.
2. Once patients understand what they can and can’t get using the insurance pharmacy first is going to have a smooth run since this is how many Kenyans access healthcare only that now it is on insurance.

Many of our readers frequently ask us to clarify the difference between a pharmacy and chemist.

A lot of people may not realize that these are two separate things.

In this post, we will explain the difference between a pharmacy and chemist.

What Is the Difference Between Pharmacy and Chemist?

A pharmacy is a healthcare facility where licensed pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists dispense medications, provide health consultations, and offer various medical services such as immunizations and health screenings.

On the other hand a, chemist is a scientist who studies the properties, composition, and reactions of substances, often working to develop new materials or products, including medications and chemicals.

That being said let us look at pharmacy and chemist in more detail and why they are often used interchangeably.

How are Chemist and Pharmacy Related?

The terms chemist and pharmacy are used synonymously, particularly in countries like the UK and Australia, due to historical and linguistic reasons.

In the past, the profession of preparing and dispensing medications was closely linked to chemistry, as pharmacists (also called chemists) would often compound or mix medications from raw chemicals.

The Art of Dispensing by MacEwan, Peter, first published in 1888, better explains this, it reveals how the pharmacy profession in its early days was deeply rooted in the practice of compounding and mixing raw chemicals to create medications.

 Over time, the role of a pharmacist evolved, but in many English-speaking countries like Kenya, the term chemist stuck and is still used to refer to both the profession and the place where medications are dispensed.

In contrast, in other regions like the US, pharmacy is more commonly used to describe both the location and profession, while chemist refers more specifically to a scientist working in the field of chemistry.

Between Chemist and Pharmacy which one is better?

There’s a common belief that a pharmacy offers more services than a chemist, as pharmacies are thought to prepare and compound medications, while chemists are seen as places that only sell drugs and over-the-counter medicines.

However, in reality, some pharmacies don’t do compounding, and some chemists do.

Many people feel that the term pharmacy sounds more modern and professional, but when it comes to reaching a wider audience in Kenya—especially in informal settlements—many prefer to use chemist, as it’s a more familiar term.

In Kenya a facility located within a hospital is typically referred to as a pharmacy by default, while most retail locations tend to use the term chemist on their signage.

Types of Facilities and Their Likely Identifications

Let’s have a look at types of facilities and how these facilities identify;

1. Hospital facility – Use purely pharmacy
2. Community facility – Use chemist, pharmacy for a few.
3. Wholesale facility –  Use their brand name, chemist or pharmacy
4. Chain facility – use the brand name, chemist or pharmacy
5. Internet or online services – Use their brand names

Final thoughts

In conclusion, while both chemist and pharmacy are used to describe places where medications are dispensed, their usage often depends on cultural preferences, location, and context. Despite the perceived differences, both terms serve the same essential purpose in healthcare, and understanding local language and preferences can help better connect with communities and meet their needs.

Depending on whom you ask, Nairobi appears to be reaching a point of saturation with chemists sprouting up on every street corner. This phenomenon clearly indicates a high demand for accessible healthcare, reflecting the growth in the pharmaceutical industry.

Growth, in this context, is relative; it signifies an increasing number of people falling ill daily, coinciding with the steady rise in population each year.

Predicting the buying habits of clients isn’t straightforward. It’s plausible that these chemists thrive not solely due to pharmaceutical sales but also because of other merchandise they offer. For example, one chemist might specialize in beauty products, while another might sell a variety of supplements.

Healthcare providers in community pharmacies have observed a surge in phone consultations. Prescriptions are received via email, WhatsApp, text, or conveyed verbally over the phone by doctors. This shift has alleviated the need for physical appointments, especially for conditions manageable through teleconsultation.

The patient experience in 2024 remains somewhat unchanged yet remarkably different from just a generation ago. Ailing individuals previously endured lengthy queues and exhaustive processes, culminating in obtaining prescriptions and navigating another queue at the pharmacy.

Notably, insurance providers are exploring innovations like pharmacy-first initiatives to mitigate inflated hospital bills for minor ailments, which pharmacists or pharmaceutical technologists can manage effectively. Direct communication between patients and doctors, facilitating appointment bookings, is becoming more prevalent.

The landscape of healthcare access in Kenya may undergo significant transformation over the next 5-20 years. However, doctors express discomfort with the pharmacy-first patient experience, fearing revenue loss. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) highlighted concerns, indicating a lack of trust in prioritizing patient care.

Nevertheless, a significant portion of Kenyans cannot afford regular doctor visits, with many lacking comprehensive insurance coverage beyond SHIF (formerly NHIF), which faces its own set of challenges. Despite this, initiatives like Linda Mama have demonstrated commendable success in addressing healthcare needs.

While Nairobi’s proliferation of chemists underscores a growing demand for healthcare, evolving practices such as teleconsultations and pharmacy-first initiatives suggest a changing landscape in accessing healthcare services in Kenya. However, challenges persist, including affordability and trust issues, highlighting the need for continued efforts to ensure equitable healthcare access for all Kenyans.

There are two ways antibiotics have effect on microbial cells, it is either bactericidal or bacteriostatic. Bactericidal antibiotics kill the bacteria and bacteriostatic antibiotics suppress the growth of bacteria. The latter is the current situation in the pharmaceutical industry.

My friend, Wanga, who had been working as a pharmaceutical technologist, made a bold decision to resign from his position in order to pursue a degree at Kenyatta University. This educational endeavor required a substantial investment of approximately 2.4 million Kenyan shillings, coupled with additional expenses. Interestingly, I’ve noticed a growing trend among other pharmaceutical technologists who are also opting for higher education, whether it be at universities like Mount Kenya University, JKUAT, United States International University or abroad.

Individuals like Wanga recognize the privileges and opportunities that come with obtaining a degree, although this may not hold true for many other pharmacists currently grappling with unemployment. I’ve encountered pharmacists who have never practiced their profession after graduation, choosing instead to focus on family businesses, while others have practiced for a few years before venturing into clinical pharmacy.

During a recent interview aired on Citizen TV on 23^rd March 2023, Dr. Libeya Bethwel a pharmacist shared his disheartening experience of being jobless since completing his studies in 2020. He attempted to establish a facility aimed at delivering pharmaceutical care to patients, but the retail environment proved hostile and unsustainable. Having been out of practice for 12 months, he expressed a sense of despair, fearing that he may never catch up. This illustrates the potential pitfalls of a misguided investment in pharmacy education, which has prompted him and other graduates to explore alternative roles beyond traditional pharmacy practice.

In his class of 75 graduates, only two managed to secure employment with the county government. This raises the question: why are pharmacists pursuing advanced degrees when numerous colleagues struggle to find work? The answer lies in several factors. Firstly, a degree in pharmacy is financially burdensome, especially when considering that the average salary of a community pharmacist or pharmaceutical technologist amounts to a mere 35,000 Kenyan shillings. Calculations reveal that it would take approximately 68.5 months or 5.7 years to repay a loan of 2.4 million Kenyan shillings without earning any additional income. Clearly, the meager compensation offered in the field makes financing pharmacy education a daunting prospect, reserved for those willing to make significant sacrifices.

From the interview, three key insights emerge in contrast to the prevailing situation. First, the cost of a pharmacy degree appears disproportionate to its value. Second, many pharmacists believe that hospitals represent the only viable avenue for providing patient care. Lastly, pharmacists are hesitant to operate community pharmacies or seek employment due to the low income relative to the substantial time and financial investments required for their studies.

Given the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry, it is disheartening and somewhat surprising to witness the prevalence of pharmacist unemployment. Since 2022, there has been talk of a shortage of pharmaceutical technologists, positions that could potentially be filled by pharmacists. So why does this conundrum persist? The complexity arises from several factors:

1. Pharmacists command higher salaries, and if given the opportunity to manage independent pharmacies, they would hardly increase their own wages.
2. Working alongside pharmaceutical technicians creates conflicts in terms of pay disparity, as both parties essentially perform similar tasks.
3. Running a pharmacy demands extensive dedication, long hours, and carries inherent risks.

Consequently, many pharmacists opt for regulatory roles, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Pharmacy degree holders are also trained to supervise diploma holders and oversee the proper functioning of pharmacies. However, such supervisory positions are limited and primarily found within larger pharmaceutical organizations or distributors. Unfortunately, supervision responsibilities are often assumed by individuals without a pharmacy background, since fresh pharmacist graduates lack sufficient experience.

Regrettably, pharmacists find themselves in a predicament where they struggle to identify their niche within the community. They can be readily replaced, as the market is saturated with experienced pharmaceutical technologists who assume “pharmacist” positions and are even pursuing expensive degrees to qualify for senior roles. Additionally, advancements in technology are gradually replacing many tasks performed by both pharmaceutical technologists and pharmacists. Applications such as interaction checkers, pill identifiers, and others empower doctors to manage medications with minimal assistance from pharmaceutical technologists.

The question of whether a pharmaceutical technologist is on par with a pharmacist is difficult to answer in the Kenyan market. Although pharmacists have received more extensive academic training, the distinction between the two is often only discernible through identification badges. It’s akin to comparing an orange to an apple or Messi to Ronaldo if we were to draw a parallel.

In fact, many tasks traditionally performed by pharmaceutical technologists and pharmacists are being gradually supplanted by modern technology. Consequently, pharmaceutical practitioners need to think innovatively and adapt to these new advancements. Currently, only a few individuals utilize resources like British National Formulary (BNF) and drug indexes. Online pharmacies like My Dawa, Goodlife pharmacy, Pharmaplus, and PharmEasy are already revolutionizing community pharmacies, while applications such as WhatsApp, HealthX, and Livia pose their own threats.

One intriguing development I came across is Mark Cuban’s Cost-plus drug company, which has generated considerable buzz. His unique business concept involves eliminating middlemen and price manipulation, resulting in significant cost savings through a transparent cost-plus pricing model. While the drugs primarily consist of generics, this approach provides substantial savings, especially for patients requiring multiple medications. If such a model were implemented in the Kenyan market, it would likely cause some pharmacies to lose clients who rely on long-term medications as a primary source of revenue.

Nevertheless, we are still far from adopting such radical changes, and it remains uncertain whether this approach would succeed in the Kenyan market. At present, our focus should be on creating a profession that can sustain the lifestyle of a pharmacist while remaining accessible to the general population seeking healthcare. Even pharmacists who shun retail positions, citing financial motivations, will ultimately be compensated through taxes, and the hospitals they work in may suffer from drug shortages.

First and foremost, we must understand the needs of individuals seeking pharmaceutical services—our consumers. This understanding will guide us in developing effective training methods for future pharmaceutical practitioners. Currently, three distinct groups seek pharmacy services:

Patients who first visit a doctor to obtain a prescription before heading to the pharmacy.

Individuals who initially approach a pharmacy and provide an explanation of their symptoms.

Those who contact the pharmacy via phone call or text message.

These individuals seek the guidance of healthcare providers capable of offering solutions to their health needs, which may include:

1. Addressing general health conditions that can be easily diagnosed and managed through consultation.
2. Providing advice on existing medications patients are taking.
3. Offering contraceptive guidance, such as identifying the most suitable contraceptive method.
4. Administering vaccinations.
5. Providing reassurance to patients on long-term medications, such as those with diabetes or hypertension, who find comfort in receiving regular blood pressure and blood sugar readings.
6. Assisting clients with beauty products, ear piercing, and other health-related needs.

An effective training program should prioritize the clinical aspect, equipping pharmaceutical practitioners with strong diagnostic and prescribing skills. Upon entering a pharmacy, patients often begin describing their symptoms, expecting immediate solutions. Therefore, training should cultivate critical thinking skills, enabling pharmaceutical practitioners to think creatively. Perhaps we should even consider integrating a pharmacy business with a spa to address pain management.

In conclusion, I propose several suggestions to address the current challenges:

Pharmacy degree programs should incorporate internships and attachments as early as the second year of study. By the fourth year, students should be encouraged to seek employment while continuing their studies.

The exorbitant cost of academic fees should be revised to make pharmacy education more affordable. This could be achieved through the introduction of entry criteria exams or alternative methods.

Training programs should strike a balance between theory and practical aspects, reducing excessive focus on theoretical knowledge.

Pharmaceutical technologist practice should be encouraged as an entry point into the pharmacy career, with opportunities for further professional development. This could be facilitated through a flexible work-school arrangement.

By implementing these measures, we can strive to create a sustainable and thriving pharmacy profession in Kenya, capable of meeting the needs of both pharmaceutical practitioners and the communities they serve.

Do you find yourself fearful of the impending monster? Rest assured, there is a means to reach out to the Pharmacy and Poison’s Board by means of the relevant societies and associations. That is;

The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) is a representative organization for pharmacists.

Kenya Pharmaceutical Association for pharmaceutical technologists.

Flugone capsules, a popular over-the-counter medication used to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu, is in short supply. This has left many people without a way to relieve their symptoms, which can be particularly troublesome during these cold months when colds and flu are more common.

Flugone capsules contain four active ingredients: chlorpheniramine maleate 4mg, paracetamol 300mg, pseudoephedrine 30mg Caffeine Anhydrous 30mg per capsule. These ingredients work together to relieve a variety of symptoms, including runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, fever, headache, aches and pains, and nasal congestion.

The shortage of Flugone capsules is due to a number of factors, including increased demand and manufacturing disruptions. The increased demand is due to the fact that colds and flu are more common during the cold months. The manufacturing disruptions are due to a number of factors, including supply chain issues and labor shortages.

Here are some other options you can consider;

The ingredients in cold and flu products are often similar. We will only discuss a few which are related to Flugone here, but there are many other products with different ingredients available in the Kenyan chemists and pharmacies that you can choose from.

Precaution; It is important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking these medicines if you are taking other medications that contain the same ingredients.

Panadol Cold and Flu

It contains three active ingredients: paracetamol, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, and chlorpheniramine maleate.

Paracetamol is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride is a decongestant that helps to relieve nasal congestion. Chlorpheniramine maleate is an antihistamine that helps to relieve allergy symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing.

Panadol Cold and Flu is generally safe for most adults and children. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking Panadol Cold and Flu if you have any other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes.

Here are some of the possible side effects of Panadol Cold and Flu:

Drowsiness, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Blurred Vision, Constipation, Nausea, Vomiting, Rash Hives Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat Difficulty breathing.

If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking Panadol Cold and Flu and speak to a doctor.

Coldcap Capsules

Coldcap is available in a variety of capsules, including:

• Coldcap Original Capsules
• Coldcap Day Time and Night Time capsules
• Coldcap Day Time Capsules
• Coldcap Night Time Capsules

Coldcap original contains Paracetamol 400mg, Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4mg, Caffeine Anhydrous 30mg, Pseudoephedrine 30 mg per capsule.

Coldcap Night time capsules contain paracetamol 500mg and chlorpheniramine 4 mg per capsule while the Coldcap day time capsules Capsules contains paracetamol 500 mg pseudoephedrine 30 mg and caffeine 30 mg

Side effects include; Drowsiness, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Blurred Vision, Constipation, Nausea, Vomiting, Rash Hives Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat Difficulty breathing.

If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking Coldcap and speak to a doctor.

Contus 650 Tablet

Paracetamol is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Phenylephrine is a nasal decongestant that can be used to treat nasal discomfort caused by colds, allergies, and hay fever. It can also be used to relieve sinus congestion and pressure. Chlorpheniramine maleate is an antihistamine that helps to relieve allergy symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing.

Side effects like mild drowsiness, stomach upset, dizziness, anxiety, insomnia, rarely thickening of bronchial secretions, hypotension, respiratory depression or breathing difficulty, heart palpitations and anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurry vision, dilated pupils, increased heart rate, decreased sweating, constipation and difficulty urinating) may occur.

Sinutab

It contains two active ingredients: paracetamol and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.

Paracetamol is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride is a decongestant that helps to relieve nasal congestion.

Sinutab is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, and liquids. It is typically taken every 4 to 6 hours, as needed.

Sinutab is generally safe for most adults and children. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking Sinutab if you have any other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes.

Here are some of the possible side effects of Sinutab:

Drowsiness, Dizziness, Dry mouth, Blurred vision, Constipation, Nausea, Vomiting, Rash, Hives, Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, Difficulty breathing

If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking Sinutab and speak to a doctor.

It is important to note that Sinutab is not a cure for sinusitis. It is only a temporary relief of symptoms. If you have sinusitis, it is important to see a doctor to get the proper treatment.

Conclusion

If your cold or flu symptoms do not improve after taking over-the-counter medications, please see a doctor.