The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya held 38th Annual Symposium Themed ‘Pharmacist: The Missing Link in Attainment of Universal Healthcare Coverage’. The event took place in Neptune Beach Hotel Mombasa, from 30th May to 3rd June 2018.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya is a representative organization that was formed to enable Pharmacists employ their professional expertise in the care of patients. Moreover, PSK promotes a common standard for professional conduct and code of ethics for its members, as well as advocates for the welfare pharmacists.
Universal Health Coverage(UHC) was a key themed across the symposium. UHC states that quality and affordable healthcare can be easily accessible without financial strain. The PSK symposium brought together various health professionals from both the, Ministry of Health and the private health sector to deliberate on how pharmacists can plan a key role in attaining of universal health coverage.
Dr. Rashid Aman (Chief Administrative Secretary- MOH) was the Chief Guest who officially opened the conference. In his opening remarks, he reminded the attendees of H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta’s BIG 4 Agenda in health. He reiterated that pharmacy will play a key role in the agenda, attainment of universal healthcare coverage and the manufacturing sector which is also one of the BIG 4 Agenda. Dr. Aman recognized the PSK recommendations on the health bills amendments he moreover, called upon everyone to offer leadership skills to benefit the citizens.
Dr. Karanja a Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, addressed the principles of ethics and the functionality of the code in governance and, the supremacy and universality in pharmacy practice. He further emphasized that ethics is a prerequisite for success in the pharmacy professional practice.
Dr. Rolando Satzke, CEO – COSMOS Pharmaceuticals brought to light that supporting local manufacturers, will see the attainment of UHC. Since locally manufactured drugs are much cheaper than imported ones. “Drugs take up to 45% of patient’s medical costs. High cost of Non Communicable Diseases medication leads to poor uptake of treatment and use of locally manufactured generic medicines leads to enormous cost savings on a patient’s medical expenditure.” Dr. Rolando Satzke, Dr. Anastasia Nyalita Chair, Kenya Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (KAPI) presented on the role of the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in UHC where she emphasized that accelerating manufacturing and capacity access will accelerate attainment of UHC.
“Partnerships to accelerate access whether in lowering costs through manufacturing, capacity building, cost containment – through reimbursement program, transparent pricing information and centralized government procurement is key.” Dr. Anastasia Nyalita.