AIC Litein hospital’s pharmacy is a modern medical set-up. Being the heart of the hospital, it embraces the latest information technology practices in drug control.

It is located on the ground floor near the entrance and consists of a spacious main store.

The activities carried out are guided by the hospital drug policy which in turn is pegged on the Ministry Of Health (MOH) guidelines and the hospital drug formulary on essential drugs. It is operated jointly with supplies department to ensure a steady supply of drugs to both in- and out- patients clients.

A pharmacist preparing a prescription.

It is manned by a competent team comprising of three registered pharmaceutical technologists and ten trained pharmacy assistants.

Staff dispensing drugs to clients

The dispensing area has a convenient waiting bay that ensures clients’ comfort as they are served by courteous staff. It is well lit and open for a 24-hour prompt service offered by registered staff. Drugs are dispensed on AIC Litein Hospital Prescription only basis.

The in-patient pharmacy located on the first floor is also a 24-hour service provider. It efficiently meets the medication needs of clients in the wards and those being discharged. Its operations are monitored from the main store and round the clock staff rotation ensures adequate attention to prompt service delivery.

In line with the hospital’s service delivery charter, the management, with support from the Walter Reed Project (WRP), established a comprehensive care clinic which necessitated the creation of the HAART pharmacy. It operates independently and its activities are geared towards the holistic management of ART clients, handling both Antiretroviral and opportunistic infection drugs. Most of the drug supplies and several undertakings follow laid down guidelines provided by the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), the Ministry of Health (MOH) and World Health Organisation (WHO) and are donor-funded.

It has one registered pharmaceutical technologist, six qualified KRCHN nurses offering quality nursing care, data clerk and excellent client diagnostic and support equipment handling close to 3,000 active clients with 890 clients on ARVs, thanks to the PEPFAR/ USAID global fund South Rift project based in Kericho.

Our intravenous production unit is one of the best, fully equipped with an autoclave, infusion pump and a viewing box. It is manned by well trained personnel and prepares both Dextrose 5% or 10% and normal saline IV fluids. It always steps in during crisis period and ensures the availability of these life-saving substituent fluids. It meets the good manufacturing practices (GMP) requirements.

Community pharmacy initiative is one of our major achievements in the region. The hospital operates an annexe pharmacy at the centre of Litein town. It offers affordable quality drugs and is open daily except on Sundays. It is fully attended by a registered pharmaceutical Technologist.

Most of the procurements and medical supplies are from MEDs (Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies). The drugs and supplies are assessed for quality at the MEDs quality control laboratory and are relatively affordable. Other reputable major suppliers provide alternative sources for MEDs’ non stock items. WRP / PEPFAR and Global fund are donor based suppliers.

In the provision of all these drugs, the hospital pharmacy is guided by an essential drug formulary revised yearly by hospital committee comprising of the Medical Superintendent, a medical Officer, Pharmacist, senior Clinician and Nursing officer. Drug shortages have become less frequent although still a challenge due to many referral cases from neighbouring medical centres.

As part of career development, we work hand in hand with approved training institutions and professional bodies. Therefore, in our pharmacy, we offer supervised attachment to students as well as those who are undergoing stage examinations prior to registration by the pharmacy and poisons board (PPB).