RESEARCH ARTICLE: Emergency compounding of COVID-19 medicines: A readiness programme to up-skill pharmacy graduates in Namibia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2020.202.117123Keywords:
COVID-19, Compounding, Emergence, Medicines, Pharmacy EducationAbstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequitable access to medicines in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly due to limited capabilities for local manufacture.
Aim: To describe priority medicine lists and critical skill sets required for an emergency compounding of COVID-19 medicines training programme.
Methods: An evaluation of the COVID-19 emergency compounding readiness programme for the University of Namibia pharmacy graduates. The main outcomes were enhanced skill sets in compounding, quality control, and regulation of priority COVID-19 medicines. Data on outcomes were thematically analysed.
Results: Fifty- eight pharmacy graduates demonstrated competence in emergency compounding, quality control, regulation, and provision of therapeutic information of COVID-19 medicines. A priority list and a skills set for emergency compounding of COVID-19 medicines were developed.
Conclusions: The upskilling of pharmacy graduates on emergency compounding of COVID-19 medicines has the potential to address inequalities in the rapid response and control of epidemics.
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