Pharmacists can drive HIV prevention, testing, linkage to care and research in Nigeria, say health researchers.
According to them, their accessibility, regular interaction with patients and medicines expertise could expand access to preventive services and generate evidence for more effective interventions.
The experts said pharmacists’ frequent interaction with patients placed them in a position to contribute beyond dispensing medicines, including supporting patient education and improving access to preventive interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis.
In a statement sent to PUNCH Healthwise, the researchers also called for increased pharmacist participation in HIV research, particularly studies examining access to medicines, patient preferences, treatment outcomes and how new interventions could be implemented effectively in communities.
A pharmacist and health outcomes researcher, Gabriel Ezenri, said, “Pharmacists should not only be involved at the point where medicines reach patients. We should also contribute to the research that determines which interventions work, who has access to them
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