Pharmacists urged to lead HIV prevention, research

Pharmacist and health outcomes researcher, Gabriel Ezenri

Pharmacists can drive HIV prevention, testing, linkage to care and research in Nigeria, say health researchers.

According to them, their accessibility, regular interaction with patients and medicines expertise could expand access to preventive services and generate evidence for more effective interventions.

The experts said pharmacists’ frequent interaction with patients placed them in a position to contribute beyond dispensing medicines, including supporting patient education and improving access to preventive interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis.

In a statement sent to PUNCH Healthwise, the researchers also called for increased pharmacist participation in HIV research, particularly studies examining access to medicines, patient preferences, treatment outcomes and how new interventions could be implemented effectively in communities.

A pharmacist and health outcomes researcher, Gabriel Ezenri, said, “Pharmacists should not only be involved at the point where medicines reach patients. We should also contribute to the research that determines which interventions work, who has access to them and how they can be implemented effectively in our communities.”

Ezenri’s advocacy reflects work being undertaken at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he co-leads the Person-Centered HIV Research Team, PeCHIVReT, within the university’s Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management.

As co-principal investigator, Ezenri helps shape the group’s research programme, develop studies, coordinate scientific writing and dissemination, mentor researchers and establish research collaborations.

The statement further noted that PeCHIVReT had undertaken studies spanning HIV prevention, treatment, health outcomes and patient-centred care, producing peer-reviewed publications and research presented at international scientific meetings.

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Ezenri called on universities, professional organisations and research institutions to expand research mentorship, interdisciplinary collaborations and opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy students to participate in HIV programmes and research.

“We need more pharmacists asking research questions, generating evidence and participating in multidisciplinary teams addressing HIV. Our training gives us an important perspective on medicines and patient care that should be represented in research and public health decision-making,” he said.

He added, “The future of pharmacy should include a stronger role in prevention, research and evidence generation. HIV is one area where pharmacists can make an even greater contribution, and we should be preparing the next generation of pharmacists to take up that responsibility.”

Also speaking, a pharmacist and HIV/AIDS implementation science researcher, Melody Okereke, stressed the value of expanding pharmacists’ participation in the HIV response.

“Pharmacists bring an important combination of medicines expertise, patient interaction and understanding of healthcare delivery to the HIV response. Expanding their involvement in prevention and research can strengthen the evidence we generate and help translate that evidence into interventions that work in real-world settings,” she said.

Okereke, who is also a member of PeCHIVReT, said research teams could provide an important pathway for pharmacists and early-career researchers to develop experience in HIV research.

“Research capacity grows when young researchers are given opportunities to contribute meaningfully to studies, work with experienced investigators and take research through to publication and scientific presentation. Creating more of these opportunities can help build a stronger generation of pharmacist-researchers working on HIV and other public health priorities,” she said.