An analysis of hospital pharmacy practice in Namibia, based on FIP's Basel Statements.

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa, a region faced with a double challenge of infectious and non-communicable diseases requires strengthening of hospital pharmacy practice to improve treatment outcomes and patient safety. The objectives of this study were to assess the current state of pharmacy practice in hospitals in Namibia and to identify opportunities for expanding pharmacists' role in addressing public health challenges and improving medicines use outcomes. A survey utilized FIP's self-assessment tool to evaluate current hospital pharmacy practice in Namibia against best practices articulated in the Basel Statements. The study was conducted among hospital pharmacists across Namibia. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The study was conducted in 24 hospital pharmacies across Namibia, the majority of which were public facilities (67%). Overall, current hospital pharmacy practice activities are focused on medicine procurement, preparation and distribution. The main barriers to optimal hospital pharmacy services are associated with limited human resources and collaboration across healthcare providers, as well as policy gaps. There is a strong desire among hospital pharmacists to expand their contributions to improving medicines outcomes and solving public health problems. Namibia's pharmacy educational system is a strength and should be utilized to continue advancing hospital pharmacy practice and medicines use. Therapeutics committees are usually part of each hospital's structure and can be very effective for hospital-based policy change. The opportunity exists to optimize pharmacists' contributions by utilizing the local therapeutics committees in combination with the educational system to advance hospital pharmacy practice in Namibia.