Collaborative partnership for clinical pharmacy services in Kenya.

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• International Collaboration

Background:

• The United States Agency for International Development-Academic Model for Providing Access to Healthcare (USAID-AMPATH) partnership in Kenya sought to enhance clinical pharmacy services.
• Limited access to specialized pharmacy care, particularly for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, was a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a collaborative partnership between Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (PUSOPPS) and USAID-AMPATH to provide essential pharmacy services in Kenya.
• To enhance clinical pharmacy services for patients infected with HIV.
• To foster a bilateral educational exchange for pharmacy students.

Main Methods:

• A full-time faculty member from PUSOPPS served as an onsite preceptor for pharmacy students.
• Students from PUSOPPS and the University of Nairobi participated in eight-week clinical rotations in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Students engaged in public health activities, including HIV counseling, testing, and pediatric patient support.

Main Results:

• The collaboration successfully provided necessary pharmacy services for HIV-infected patients in Kenya.
• Year-round clinical pharmacy services were established in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
• A sustainable model for pharmacy education and service delivery was implemented.

Conclusions:

• The partnership between PUSOPPS and USAID-AMPATH has significantly improved pharmacy services for HIV patients in Kenya.
• The collaboration facilitated a valuable educational exchange, benefiting both Kenyan and American pharmacy students.
• This initiative addressed critical pharmacy needs, including antiretroviral therapy and opportunistic infection management.