Cape Town • 3 September 2024
An overview of pharmacy practice and healthcare needs in Sub-Saharan Africa is provided in a new report published by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) today.
“Pharmacy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A FIP Situational Report” is the latest publication in the federation’s Multinational Needs Assessment Programme (MNAP). Against the backdrop of a region with the world’s highest disease burden and lowest density of healthcare workers, the report presents 12 case studies contributed by FIP member organisations in Cameroon, DR Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The report highlights the vital roles of pharmacists in improving health outcomes across the region but points out that 85% of pharmacists are concentrated in major cities. In addition, the workforce shortfall is expected to widen, with a projected deficit of 6.1 million healthcare professionals by 2030, further limiting access for vulnerable populations. Sub-Saharan African countries face challenges of limited training capacity, poor retention and professional migration, the authors say.
“This report underlines the significant disparities in healthcare access and pharmaceutical services availability that exist across the region. Addressing these requires targeted interventions and strategic approaches, including the implementation of universal health coverage, promoting sustainability in national health system financing, fostering economic growth for health facilities, ensuring equitable access to vaccines, and enhancing health literacy among our populations,” said FIP vice president and co-author Dr Prosper Hiag.
“FIP plays a crucial role in supporting pharmacists to address the disparities in pharmaceutical availability in the region through the FIP Development Goals, which are aligned with the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he added.
The report outlines important insights into pharmacy workforce development and shortages, pharmacy’s roles in managing and preventing communicable and non-communicable diseases, and environmental sustainability in pharmacy practice. It emphasises the need for strategic investments in pharmacy education, supportive policies, and sustainable practices to ensure the health and well-being of communities. “Despite significant challenges, pharmacists continue to be at the forefront of healthcare delivery in the region. They are knowledgeable and well positioned to strengthen and deliver primary healthcare services. The African Pharmaceutical Forum, as part of FIP, is geared to enhance pharmaceutical practice, sciences, education, and workforce development across Africa,” said Ms Jocelyn Chaibva, report co-author and president of FIP’s African Pharmaceutical Forum.
Professor Ian Bates, Director of the FIP Global Pharmaceutical Observatory, calls the report “a valuable insight into the current status of professional development in Sub-Saharan Africa, which we hope will stimulate partnership-driven strategic growth planning across the region”.
The full report is available exclusively for FIP member organisations and an executive summary is accessible to all.
Notes for editors
Access the executive summary here.
About FIP The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacy educators, and is in official relations with the World Health Organization. Through its 153 member organisations, it represents over four million practitioners and scientists around the world. www.fip.org Notes for editors
PRESS CONTACT
Ms Lin-Nam Wang
Head of Communications and Advocacy
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
Email linnam@fip.org