By School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Every year on September 25, the world celebrates pharmacists for their indispensable role in shaping healthcare delivery. This year’s World Pharmacists Day carries a powerful theme: “Think Health, Think Pharmacist.” It is a reminder that in every discussion about healthcare, pharmacists must stand at the center.

Pharmacists are more than dispensers of medicines. They are educators, researchers, caregivers, and advocates for safe, rational, and affordable use of medicines. Often, pharmacists are the first and last point of contact for patients within the health system. As global health systems continue to face budget cuts, economic pressures, and rising patient demand, the pharmacist’s role has never been more critical. They stand at the intersection of science and service, ensuring that medicines are available and are used effectively, safely, and ethically.

The theme, “Think Health, Think Pharmacist”, challenges policymakers, communities, and institutions to reimagine healthcare with the pharmacist as a key solution provider in addressing gaps in access, equity, and workforce sustainability.

For the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (SPHS), the 2025 celebration is doubly meaningful. Not only does it coincide with this global day of recognition, but it also marks a historic milestone – 10 years since the establishment of SPHS. Over the past decade, the School has grown into a hub of excellence, innovation, and leadership in pharmaceutical education in Kenya and the region.

Since its inception in 2015, the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has been committed to preparing a new generation of pharmacists who are globally competitive, locally relevant, and ethically grounded. Over the 10 years, the School has graduated hundreds of pharmacists now serving in hospitals, community pharmacies, academia, research, and regulatory agencies across East Africa, invested in state-of-the-art laboratories and modern teaching facilities that allow students to learn by doing, built a reputation for research and innovation, with faculty and students publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at international forums, fostered partnerships with industry, government, and global organizations to expand learning opportunities and improve health outcomes, and championed community engagement through medical camps, health awareness drives, and mentorship programs for young people.

Additionally, one of the biggest healthcare challenges today is the shortage of qualified health professionals. The World Health Organization projects a global shortfall of 10 million health workers by 2030, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Pharmacists are at the center of this conversation. SPHS has responded by scaling its programs to not only produce pharmacists with strong clinical knowledge, but also those with skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, and research. These graduates are better equipped to innovate, create opportunities, and adapt to the changing healthcare landscape. Moreover, the School is engaging in dialogue with policymakers and professional bodies to ensure pharmacists are recognized as essential members of multidisciplinary health teams.

At the heart of SPHS’s work is a belief in the power of innovation. Over the years, the School has supported research projects ranging from drug formulation and regulatory science to pandemic preparedness and risk communication. Students and faculty are encouraged to explore solutions that directly respond to Kenya’s and Africa’s health needs. This culture of inquiry prepares graduates to not only work in traditional roles but also to contribute to new fields such as pharmacovigilance, biotechnology, regulatory affairs, and digital health.

Beyond science, pharmacy is a calling to service. Alumni stories from SPHS demonstrate how pharmacists are changing lives daily: counseling patients, promoting treatment adherence, and advocating for responsible medicine use. Their work reflects the School’s vision: To produce healthcare professionals who combine competence with compassion.

As SPHS celebrates its 10th anniversary, it looks forward to the next decade with renewed purpose. Priorities include expanding postgraduate training and research opportunities, strengthening partnerships with government, regulators, and industry to influence policy and practice, deepening community engagement, ensuring pharmacists are seen not just as medicine experts, but also as trusted healthcare providers, and leveraging digital tools to prepare graduates for the future of healthcare, including telepharmacy and AI-driven medicine management.

As Kenya and the world mark World Pharmacists Day 2025, the message is clear: If we are to sustain resilient, equitable, and effective health systems, pharmacists must be at the table. The School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is proud to celebrate 10 years of preparing such leaders – women and men who will carry forward the profession’s noble responsibility to improve health for all.

To think about health is, indeed, to think about the pharmacist.