By Veronica Mrema
Medicines are a fundamental pillar of the healthcare system. However, the quality of medicines alone cannot guarantee positive treatment outcomes for patients.
A strong pharmaceutical system is built on qualified professionals, effective regulation of medicine outlets, efficient regulatory systems, and adherence to laws, regulations, and professional ethical standards governing pharmacy practice.
In recent years, Tanzania has continued to strengthen this system through various reforms aimed at expanding access to pharmaceutical services, improving the quality of pharmacy professionals, and ensuring that medicines are dispensed only through authorized and safe facilities.
Statistics from the Pharmacy Council show that Tanzania's pharmaceutical sector has experienced significant growth between 2015 and 2026.
The number of registered pharmaceutical professionals increased from 1,264 in 2015 to 4,494 in 2026. Likewise, the number of registered medicine outlets rose from 1,116 to 11,245 over the same period.
Growth has also been recorded across different pharmacy cadres. The number of pharmacists increased from 677 to 3,792, while the number of pharmaceutical technicians rose from 1,250 to 16,087.
Approved pharmacy training institutions also increased from 519 to 1,190, while the number of pharmaceutical assistants grew from three to six.
According to the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council, Pharmacist Magige, these achievements are the result of the Government's continued efforts, through the Ministry of Health, to strengthen the pharmaceutical service delivery system and regulate the pharmacy profession.
He says one of the key initiatives behind this progress has been the establishment of six zonal offices serving the Northern, Lake, Eastern, Southern Highlands, Central and Western zones.
According to him, these offices have improved the efficiency of professional registration, inspection of pharmaceutical service facilities, enforcement of laws and regulations, and made services more accessible to stakeholders who previously had to travel to the Council's headquarters.
In addition to decentralizing regulatory services, the Council has continued to embrace digital technology in delivering its services.
Electronic registration systems, digital payment platforms and a mobile application have improved access to services for pharmacy professionals and the public.
Pharmacist Magige says the adoption of technology has reduced bureaucracy, enhanced transparency and made it easier to access information on registered professionals and licensed pharmaceutical outlets.
To ensure that the sector's growth is matched by the quality of professionals, the Council continues to collaborate with the Tanzania Commission for Universities [TCU] to strengthen pharmacy education programmes.
This collaboration aims to ensure that academic curricula meet the current needs of the health sector and that graduates possess the skills required to deliver safe and quality pharmaceutical services.
Beyond regulating professionals, the Council is responsible for registering and inspecting all medicine dispensing facilities, including wholesale pharmacies, retail pharmacies and Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets [ADDOs].
The objective is to ensure that medicines are dispensed in environments that comply with professional and legal standards.
The Council also oversees professional conduct through the Code of Practice and the Code of Ethics for Pharmacy Professionals.
These codes guide professionals to perform their duties with integrity, professionalism and a strong commitment to patient safety.
"In ensuring the quality of pharmaceutical services across the country, the Council continues to collaborate with the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority [TMDA] to ensure that medicines reaching the public meet the required standards of quality, safety and efficacy," he says.
Despite these achievements, the appropriate use of medicines remains a shared responsibility between healthcare professionals and the public.
The misuse of medicines can contribute to antimicrobial resistance, increase healthcare costs and endanger patients' health.
According to the World Health Organization [WHO], antimicrobial resistance [AMR] is among the greatest threats to global public health.
Global estimates indicate that in 2019, approximately 1.27 million people died directly from drug-resistant bacterial infections, while 4.95 million deaths were associated with antimicrobial resistance.
WHO further states that inappropriate use of antibiotics, self-medication without professional advice, failure to complete prescribed treatment courses, and the misuse of medicines in both humans and animals are among the major drivers of antimicrobial resistance.
This has prompted Tanzania, like many other countries, to strengthen medicine regulatory systems and promote the responsible use of antibiotics in order to slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Pharmacist Magige emphasizes that "the public should obtain medicines only from registered pharmaceutical outlets and use them according to the instructions provided by healthcare professionals."
"...This will improve treatment outcomes, reduce preventable harm and preserve the effectiveness of medicines for present and future generations."
As Tanzania's healthcare sector continues to grow, pharmaceutical services remain an essential component in ensuring that people have access to safe medicines, quality healthcare services and appropriate guidance on the proper use of medicines.
The increasing number of pharmacy professionals, medicine outlets and digital innovations demonstrates the country's continued commitment to strengthening its pharmaceutical system.
At the same time, the remaining challenges call for sustained collaboration among the government, healthcare professionals, the private sector and the public to ensure that every Tanzanian has access to safe, quality pharmaceutical services that meet professional standards.
Chapisha Maoni