Equity Afya has opened its second standalone community pharmacy in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), expanding access to essential medicines and healthcare services closer to where people live and work.
The new outlet, located at Bruce House, opposite Cardinal Otunga Plaza, is Equity Afya’s first standalone community pharmacy to be owned and operated by a franchisee, marking a new phase in the healthcare network’s approach to expanding community-centered service delivery.
The franchise model seeks to enable trained healthcare professionals and Equity Leadership Program (ELP) alumni drawn from the health sector to establish and operate sustainable healthcare enterprises while improving access to essential medicines and related services.
Dr. Dennis Ogolla, Managing Director of Equity Afya, said the initiative seeks to create an ecosystem in which healthcare professionals can build sustainable enterprises.
“Healthcare entrepreneurship and the broader health ecosystem is anchored on improving lives. Our role is to create an ecosystem on which patients and families can rely; health entrepreneurs find value and can thrive and grow sustainable enterprises, and where the payers in health can count on and trust. The ultimate goal is to expand inclusive, quality healthcare by building a robust network of certified health professionals and health infrastructure that brings care closer to our communities,” said Dr. Ogolla.
The Bruce House pharmacy offers over the counter and prescription medicines, baby products, nutrition and wellness products, as well as wellness guidance and screening services.
The outlet complements Equity Afya’s network of 156 medical centers across Kenya and the 5 initial medical centres in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which all have in-house pharmacies.
Dr. Gohil Jaimini, Chief Pharmacist at Equity Afya, said the standalone pharmacies will complement the organization’s existing clinic network by bringing medicines closer to communities while creating sustainable delivery models.
“The pharmacy is an extension of the success of Equity Afya Clinics. Our commitment to expanding access to essential medicines requires us to bring healthcare closer to where people live and work while creating sustainable models for healthcare delivery. Through the franchise
model, we are enabling qualified healthcare professionals to establish viable businesses while extending quality and affordable pharmaceutical services closer to communities. Our ambition is to make essential medicines more accessible and affordable as we expand this model across the region,” said Dr. Jaimini.
Dr. Benson Musyoka, Health Systems Strengthening Specialist and the Equity Afya Pharmacy Franchisee, said access to medicines remains an important part of completing the healthcare journey.
“Healthcare does not end when you see a doctor or when you get a prescription. It only ends when a patient has been able to receive quality and safe medicines with the due guidance on how to take it so that the patient does their part. We are coming in to ensure that care goes full circle.” said Dr. Musyoka.
The Bruce House outlet follows the opening of Equity Afya’s first standalone community pharmacy at Britam Towers in Upper Hill and forms part of its longer-term ambition to establish 1000 outpatient centres and 1000 standalone pharmacies across East and Central Africa in the coming years.
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