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LAGOS – One thing working in the health sector in Africa reveals is the reality of some of the healthcare problems in the region.
Some of these problems are easy to describe from an external view: poor access to services, a shortage of resources, fake medications, etc.
However, a more intrinsic exploration of these problems soon reveals that most of these problems are rarely as simple as they seem.
There are varying layers of issues that need to be addressed to grasp and implement viable solutions to these problems.
With the improved adoption of technology across various other sectors in many African states, the potential of technology as a tool to catalyze solving healthcare problems cannot be ignored.
This, however, creates a new challenge that can only be addressed by a new kind of professional.
Pharmacists are traditionally the custodians of medicines and in systems like Nigeria, tend to be the first line of many citizens with healthcare via Community Pharmacies. With the increasing adoption of technology in healthcare, what then becomes the role of Pharmacists? Pharmacists at the Nexus of Healthcare and Technology.
Pharmacists are increasingly positioned at the intersection of healthcare and technology, playing a pivotal role in leveraging technology to solve problems in healthcare.
As medication experts, Pharmacists are at an advantage in harnessing digital health tools like telepharmacy, electronic health records (EHRs), and mobile health apps to improve patient outcomes.
With the integration of technology into daily practice, pharmacists can optimize medication management, enhance patient education, and provide real-time monitoring for chronic diseases.
As technology continues to evolve, pharmacists’ expertise will be crucial in ensuring its safe, effective, and ethical application in healthcare systems.
For instance, with several new and existing healthcare service providers in Nigeria adopting telemedicine to reach a larger and more diverse audience, telepharmacy becomes essential in ensuring that patients get appropriate pharmaceutical care.
Leveraging technology like phone calls, text messages, or video chats to connect patients with pharmacists, these patients can get necessary support with their medication to ensure optimal health outcomes.
For example, imagine a person in a remote village who needs advice on how to take their asthma medication but can’t easily reach a pharmacy.
With telepharmacy, the Pharmacist could guide them on how to use an inhaler properly, talk about their treatment, and answer their questions—all from a distance.
This approach helps bring healthcare closer to those who need it, even if they live far away.
Mobile phone adoption in Nigeria is currently placed at about 90% indicating a relatively impressive use of mobile phones in the region.
This makes mobile health (mHealth) tools a great way to improve healthcare delivery.
From experience, using text messages to remind patients about taking their medications or coming in for follow-up visits helped many people stick to their treatment plans.
This is especially important for people who have long-term conditions; for example, high blood pressure or diabetes and may have to be on routine medication.
Beyond reminders, mobile health technology can also be used to share helpful health information and correct any wrong beliefs people may have about their medications.
A relatable example would be vaccine hesitation in some parts of Africa. Mobile health technology can be used to reassure the masses and also warn them in the event of the need to discontinue certain medication.
Reducing Medication Errors Through Automation
Medication safety is a big concern in Nigeria, where fake drugs and mistakes in pharmacies are common.
Pharmacists are often overwhelmed by the number of patients needing care, which increases the risk of errors. Using automated systems in pharmacies can help solve this.
The Challenges of Health Technology
Although technology has many benefits, there are challenges to using it in Nigeria. Poor internet access in some rural areas, the high cost of digital tools, and lack of awareness about the benefits of technology make it difficult to adopt new solutions.
Even in cities, several people hesitate to use digital health tools because they worry about privacy or don’t understand how the technology works.
To address these issues, pharmacists, tech companies, and policymakers need to work together.
These stakeholders need to push for policies that make technology more affordable and ensure that healthcare workers are trained to use these tools effectively.
It is also important to educate patients about how technology can improve their health, helping them understand and trust digital health services.
