Expanding the Role of Community Pharmacies in Kenya: Integrating Diabetes, Hypertension, and Mental Health Care

Kenya faces a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), accounting for 39% of Kenyan deaths, which represents a 12% increase since 2014. Hypertension affects about 24% of adults, and the prevalence of diabetes stands at 3%. Currently, despite the legal permission of community pharmacies in Kenya to dispense medicines, counsel patients, administer some vaccinations, and manage minor ailments, they remain underutilized in the prevention and management of various NCDs. There is growing rationale to integrate NCD care into pharmacies since, according to WHO, pharmacists are accessible “first point of contact” providers, and pharmacy-based models elsewhere have improved NCD control and efficiency. This commentary proposes an implementation framework wherein pharmacies are at the forefront of providing NCD health services, entailing routine screening (blood pressure, blood glucose, PHQ-9 depression screens), lifestyle counseling, drug regimen adherence and refill support, medication therapy management, and digitally linking patients to health facilities. Realizing this requires pharmacist upskilling, policy reforms for expanded scope of practice, financing via Social Health Insurance Fund reimbursements to cover pharmacy refills and screenings, and digital integration and interoperability of such health services (mobile apps, e-referrals). Key recommendations include pilot programs to test pharmacy-led NCD health care, regulatory changes to permit clinical services, training programs, and sustainable financing (public/private partnerships, insurance reimbursement). Expanded pharmacy roles could improve early detection and control of diabetes, hypertension, and mental health disorders, decongest hospitals, and strengthen Kenya’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).