The core function of our Pharmacy Department is to ensure the safety of research participants and the integrity of the research study products under investigation during our clinical trials. The Pharmacy achieves this by implementing policies and procedures in accordance with the Malawi Pharmacy, Medicines, and Regulatory Authority (PMRA) and by adhering to sponsor standards for all aspects of study product management, with appropriate quality assurance measures and accountability processes.

Key functions of the Pharmacy Department include quality management of investigational products, proper ordering, receipt and storage of the investigational products, developing and maintaining pharmacy standard operating procedures (SOPs), as well as strict temperature monitoring of all spaces. The site research Pharmacy also stocks several primary care medicines to facilitate basic care for participants, and Pharmacists are trained in adherence assessment and counseling. They also support Pharmacy students from the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences by training them on best practices for clinical trials research, including pharmacokinetics studies and studies requiring study product preparation in biosafety hoods.

The Pharmacy team works closely with other departments at JHP to ensure the department is well-integrated and that procedures are implemented according to protocol.

“Working in research is very interesting and it provides a platform for involvement in coming up with new methods of disease management.”
  – Josiah Chidya Mayani, Research Pharmacist