A community-based clinical pharmacy teaching, research, and service program in Zimbabwe

In an effort to optimize limited resources, a community-based clinical pharmacy program was initiated to promote service, teaching, and research. This program sponsored the recruitment of pharmacy personnel to carry out distributive and clinical functions. This service enabled the development of new clinical attachment sites for pharmacy students. Students on these attachments carried out supervised projects that enhanced their learning while providing essential services to the community. This program resulted in the enhancement of stock levels of drugs and medical equipment, improvement in the drug budget through on-site manufacturing and proper stock management, and the creation of a favorable working partnership with other health professionals as well as the community. A number of research projects were initiated and completed, and a teaching program was established. This program demonstrated that integration of the triple functions of clinical pharmacy service, teaching, and research is feasible in a rural setting and can achieve goals that are mutually beneficial to all facets of the pharmacy profession.