Abstract:
Problem The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted health systems worldwide and threatened the supply of
essential medicines. Especially affected are vulnerable patients in low- and middle-income countries who can only afford access to public
health systems.
Approach Soon after physical distancing and curfew orders began on 15 March 2020 in Kenya, we rapidly implemented three supply-chain
strategies to ensure a continuous supply of essential medicines while minimizing patients’ COVID-19 exposure risks. We redistributed central
stocks of medicines to peripheral health facilities to ensure local availability for several months. We equipped smaller, remote health facilities
with medicine tackle boxes. We also made deliveries of medicines to patients with difficulty reaching facilities.
Local setting Τo implement these strategies we leveraged our 30-year partnership with local health authorities in rural western Kenya and
the existing revolving fund pharmacy scheme serving 85 peripheral health centres.
Relevant changes In April 2020, stocks of essential chronic and non-chronic disease medicines redistributed to peripheral health facilities
increased to 835 140 units, as compared with 316 330 units in April 2019. We provided medicine tackle boxes to an additional 46 health
facilities. Our team successfully delivered medications to 264 out of 311 patients (84.9%) with noncommunicable diseases whom we were
able to reach.
Lessons learnt Our revolving fund pharmacy model has ensured that patients’ access to essential medicines has not been interrupted
during the pandemic. Success was built on a community approach to extend pharmaceutical services, adapting our current supply-chain
infrastructure and working quickly in partnership with local health authorities.