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.
