The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya has urged pharmacists and pharmacy care teams to heighten vigilance following confirmation of Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease.
In an advisory, the society said pharmacies are among the most accessible points of contact within the health system, meaning patients experiencing early symptoms may seek advice or treatment from pharmacies before visiting health facilities.
PSK has called on pharmacists to ensure their teams are prepared to recognise possible cases, protect themselves and other patients, and activate appropriate referral and public health channels.
The society has urged pharmacists to maintain a high index of suspicion among patients presenting with fever or a history of fever, marked weakness or fatigue, chills, muscle pain, sore throat and other concerning symptoms.
Where appropriate, pharmacists have also been advised to establish a patient's recent travel and exposure or contact history at an early stage.
The advisory cautions pharmacies against routinely managing suspected Ebola cases, urging them to minimise unnecessary physical contact, avoid invasive procedures and activate the appropriate referral pathway.
PSK also warned against simply directing a potentially infectious patient to move independently between pharmacies or health facilities.
Pharmacists have further been asked to promptly engage public health and surveillance authorities in line with Ministry of Health guidance. The society noted that the Ministry has provided toll-free line 719 for official information.
PSK has also directed pharmacies to brief all staff, including pharmaceutical technologists, administrative personnel and support teams, on how to respond if a suspected case presents.
The society stressed the need to protect patient confidentiality, warning against sharing names, photographs, travel details or unverified information about suspected cases on social media.
“Do not panic, but do not dismiss,” PSK said, emphasising the role of pharmacists in Kenya’s frontline health-security response.
