Interviewer: Good afternoon. My name is Barongo Teya, and today we’re here with Ogita Productions to create a documentary about the development of pharmacy in Kenya. The University of Nairobi is celebrating a major milestone — 50 years — and we want to revisit its origins and the people who helped shape its journey. Thank you for being here and consenting to this process. To start us off, kindly introduce yourself, let us know where and when you trained, and tell us about your early career in pharmacy.
Prof. Francis Ndemo: My name is Professor Francis Ndemo. My early education was here in Kenya. I completed my A-levels at Strathmore and then earned a scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Pharmacy at Leicester School of Pharmacy in the UK. After that, I returned to Kenya and joined the private pharmaceutical industry. I worked at Dawa Pharmaceuticals as a Production Manager and later joined Sterling Winthrop as a New Products Manager.
Later on, I was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in the United States. I also undertook a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical pharmacokinetics. When I returned to Kenya in 1987, I joined the University of Nairobi and began teaching clinical pharmacy.
Interviewer: You’ve clearly played influential roles — especially in clinical pharmacy. Can you tell us more about those contributions?
Prof. Ndemo: Yes. Initially, most of us were encouraged to pursue medicine, and I was admitted to medical school. But I had a passion for medications and patient care. That’s why I chose pharmacy, and later, clinical pharmacy. I believe I was the first to introduce the Doctor of Pharmacy degree model at the University of Nairobi.
Clinical pharmacy is about direct patient care. It aims to ensure that every medication a patient receives is appropriate, effective, safe, and that the patient is willing and able to use it correctly. Back then, pharmacists were mostly focused on distribution — not patient engagement. That image needed to change.
As president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya, I led efforts — alongside Dr. Atebe and Dr. Karanja — to have pharmacists officially recognized with the title “Doctor.” We also introduced a professional oath in 1989, marking pharmacy as a noble profession. This oath is still taken by pharmacy graduates today.
Interviewer: What was your impact beyond education and policy?
Prof. Ndemo: One major realization is that medication is the most common form of medical intervention. Even surgical patients need medication. Yet, medication-related harm is underreported because the same doctors who prescribe often certify the cause of death.
So our role as pharmacists is vital — especially now. Misuse of medications is a major public health concern. Not because the drugs are bad, but because they’re often used inappropriately. This led me to practice as a pharmacotherapy specialist, running medication therapy management clinics. I’ve pushed to have these services recognized and reimbursed under SHIF.
Unfortunately, pharmacists are still not seen as healthcare providers in the same way doctors or dentists are. That must change. Compensation should reflect the clinical value pharmacists bring. The curriculum must also recognize specialization — something we’ve been slow to adopt.
Interviewer: You mentioned the Doctor of Pharmacy program. What’s your vision for pharmacy training in Kenya?
Prof. Ndemo: We must shift to competency-based education (CBE). That means starting with the end in mind: What skills should a pharmacist have? Global frameworks like the FIP Competency Framework define this. We also have a “Good Pharmacy Practice” document that outlines quality indicators.
The current Bachelor of Pharmacy model is outdated. Skills training must start earlier. In Doctor of Pharmacy programs, students engage with patients from the first year. Unlike our system — where you graduate first and only later intern — PharmD students train in clinical settings under university supervision.
In the UK, pharmacists are now trained as independent prescribers — the first healthcare providers patients meet. Kenya must catch up. We need a clean-slate approach to curriculum redesign, not minor tweaks. And our faculty must be retrained in newer areas like pharmacogenomics. Otherwise, we risk being left behind.
Interviewer: What do you want to be remembered for?
Prof. Ndemo: First, as the person who introduced the professional oath and championed the title “Doctor” for pharmacists. Second, as someone who helped usher in the Doctor of Pharmacy program in Kenya. Third, as someone who fought for the image of the pharmacist — from dispensers to clinicians.
Interviewer: Any words for UoN’s School of Pharmacy at 50?
Prof. Ndemo: Congratulations. Despite limited resources, UoN has consistently produced some of the best students — often outperforming their peers in medical school. The School of Pharmacy remains the mother of all pharmacy schools in Kenya. Here’s to another 50 years of leadership and excellence.
