Namibia faces a shortage of pharmaceutical personnel. The increased burden that HIV and AIDS has placed on national health systems in general has made this burden even more severe. USAID-funded SIAPS conducted a preliminary assessment to evaluate the screening system and processes in use for pharmaceutical practitioners concerning legal recognition to practice in Namibia. This was also conducted to advise the Pharmacy Council of Namibia (PCN) on improvements that can be made to the screening process for the pharmacy practitioner competency assessment and registration/licensure process. The goal is to make more pharmacists, technicians, and pharmacists’ assistants (PAs) available to provide appropriate pharmaceutical care services in general and make antiretroviral therapy (ART) in particular more accessible to patients, especially in rural settings.
