Dr. Wilfred Ochieng Oguta: Well, my name is Wilfred Ochieng Oguta. I'm a registered pharmacist in Kenya. I work at the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. Of course, to be a pharmacist, I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nairobi and also an MBA from the same university and a Masters in Pharmaceutical Science. So, primarily, I work at the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. That's my professional life.
I'm married with three children. I joined the University of Nairobi in 1994 and graduated in the class of 1999. That's quite a while back. The experience at the University was interesting because at that time, it was the only university offering the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. We were not very many students, less than 30, and it was a male-dominated class. Nowadays, I hear the female population is threatening to be the majority.
We had a very interesting and very busy five years. Classes started very early in the morning and went on until very late. During the clinical years, which involved crossing Ngong Road to Kenyatta, it was more relaxed but focused more on shaping you into a professional. Despite the challenges, we enjoyed being there. That’s where we started “adulting.”
After graduation, we were lucky to be posted for internship immediately. I went for my hospital internship in Kitale—it was my first time there. You pick up your bags and go. You don’t have a house; you have to settle and learn to be an intern.
After internship, job choices were tough. The government was not paying well, so we had to make decisions. I did some marketing, then gained experience working part-time in community pharmacies. Eventually, I worked closely with the industry at the Pharmacy and Poisons Board—assessing manufacturers for compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Currently, I’m the Director of Pharmacy Practice. My work involves regulation, training, and practice. I've been in regulation for over 20 years. I've also served as the head of the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate and head of the Business Support Directorate (now Corporate Affairs).
When I started, there were only drug inspectors, many without qualifications. Pharmacists protested this. Eventually, we restructured, and many inspectors now have pharmaceutical qualifications. We unified two parallel inspectorates into one under the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, ensuring a single chain of command.
One major policy change was introducing annual license renewals and tying CPD (Continuing Professional Development) to licensing. We also pushed for the legal recognition of specialist pharmacists. Draft regulations are in place, and we issue recognition letters to qualified specialists.
We automated many PPB services. Now, pharmacists can apply, pay, and access services online—no need to travel to Nairobi unless facing specific challenges.
Only the University of Nairobi offered pharmacy for many years. Most pharmacy educators and professionals in Kenya are its graduates. Even within PPB, technical committees are staffed mostly by University of Nairobi alumni.
The law changed to allow pharmaceutical technologists to practice, but it lacked clarity. We've tried to address this, but face resistance and legal challenges. We’re also expanding pharmacy roles to include immunization and family planning services, though more policy changes are needed.
Pharmacy’s public image is a shared responsibility. PPB, through its corporate communication department, participates in public education—ASK shows, media appearances, and social media. Our website provides searchable access to licensed pharmacists and pharmacies.
From a regulatory perspective, there's been a shift in course accreditation. An amendment to the Universities Act removed professional regulators from accreditation, assigning it to CUE (Commission for University Education). We're working on an MoU with CUE to regain involvement in curriculum development and institutional inspection.
Looking to the future, pharmacy graduates are migrating due to better opportunities abroad, which shows the high quality of Kenyan training. But Kenya still lacks enough pharmacists. We need adaptable curricula and different career tracks—clinical, industrial, supply chain, quality control, etc.
As Director of Pharmacy Practice, my focus is on stakeholder engagement and understanding the status of pharmacy practice through surveys and research. We look to global benchmarks like FIP to guide our improvements.
Pharmacy is rapidly becoming digital. Patients often come knowing their diagnosis and medications. Regulation must adapt to digital pharmacy, smart devices, and telepharmacy.
On how I want to be remembered—I hope not just as the person at the board when things go wrong. Regulation is a shared responsibility. The scorecard is out there.
Finally, I’d like to offer a congratulatory message to the University of Nairobi and its alumni for reaching 50 years. It’s not easy—50 years of pharmacy. I am proud to be an alumnus and urge fellow alumni to stay active and support the school.
