08-0778 Final project

A PASSION FOR PHARMACY

 “You can have a seat I will be with you in a minute” says Humphrey Guchu the Pharmacist at the Daystar University Athi River clinic. He is a short, light skinned man with a soft spoken voice that would sing a child to sleep. As I seat, I look around and see drugs well arranged on the shelves and note books opened on the table showing they had been used recently. The scent in the air is that of powdered gloves and pills with air coming in from the opened counter where drugs are handed out.

I then prepared the camera for recording and open a fresh page in my notebook. He comes in and apologizes for the delay then severs himself juice from a jug. He kindly offers me a glass then sits down. He starts by explaining his reason for choosing Pharmacy as a profession is one of choice not pressure from parents or for the salary as it is mostly assumed. To him it is a passion and a calling he then advices that if one is intending to practice pharmacy as a profession, it should be from within you so that one can do it to the best of their abilities.

                   Humphrey at the school chemist where he spends most of his time

Humphrey then explains he got interested in the profession when he  volunteer  to help the school doctor hand out drugs to other students while at Tamukumu high school in Kinangop district. The interaction with other doctor  and patients in the school is what made him like pharmacy. His face glows and he smiles as he further explains that seeing the people that he gave medication get better with time also inspired him as he would see the fulfillment of his work. After high school he joined Nairobi Training Institute to study a Diploma in pharmacy which lasted four years.

After getting the first diploma he wanted to further his studies and registered for a higher diploma at Penfistista Career School which is an international school with branches world wide. After graduating he got a job as a chemist for clinix health care where he works to date. With a smile on his face, he explains one of the main advantages of pharmacy as a profession is getting to work with people of different cultures and backgrounds. This allows him to understand and respect other people.

Another advantage is that pharmacists usually get a very high starting salary compared to other professions. Pharmacy also has wide market making it easier for one to get a job. Flexibility is also an advantage since one can be moved from the hospital he is working in to a bigger hospital the same country without stress since the credentials are the same. The main challenge of the profession according to him is that one gets to work late hours and can be called to work at any time. “We work like the police force we can be called anytime” he jokes with a big smile.

This is mostly the case because they work in hospitals which are 24 hour institutions. Another challenge they face is that they have the responsibility of handing out the correct amount of medication. If he makes the mistake of giving the wrong medicine to a patient or an overdose, he puts the patient’s health at a risk. Pharmacists also have to deal with different types of patients and some may be rude or at times a patient may want you to give them a drug that requires a doctor’s prescription yet they do not have a prescription.

“All careers have challenges, that is why one should have a passion for what they do” he says with emphasis. He then explains that his vision in the future while still working as pharmacist is to not only open his own chemist but also introduce an export, import pharmaceutical company in Kenya. The reason for him wanting to open this company is not just because of his love for pharmacy but also because of what he had experienced in his working years.

He had realized that drug manufacturing companies had come up with the aim of making money regardless of the quality of the drugs they made and sold to patients. These drugs are often cheap and readily available but dangerous to the clients. His company will only buy and sell quality drugs from recognized manufacture. “Humphrey you are needed in the doctor’s office” a nurse calls out from behind. I then turn off the camera as I thank him for his help. He shakes my hand and says he was glad he could help as we both wake up and leave the room.

Presented by: Rose Wangari Nganga 08-0778

Word count: 850 words