Kenya’s HIV Prevention Momentum: A New Strategy Emerges
Kenya is intensifying its fight against HIV by expanding access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through community pharmacies. New data showing a rise in fresh HIV infections has highlighted prevention gaps and underscored the urgency of widening PrEP availability beyond traditional clinics. As Kenya targets elimination of new infections by 2030, pharmacy-based PrEP offers a practical path to reaching more people at risk, including those who face barriers to clinic-based services.
The Case for Pharmacy-based PrEP
PrEP, when taken consistently, reduces the risk of HIV infection by up to 99% among people at high risk. However, uptake has been uneven in many settings due to stigma, distance to clinics, and limited healthcare workforce. Pharmacists, as accessible, trusted health professionals, can play a critical role in closing these gaps. By allowing PrEP prescriptions and refills at local pharmacies, communities gain convenient access points, flexible hours, and privacy that encourages more people to seek protection before exposure.
Benefits for Key Populations
Pharmacy-based PrEP is especially important for sex workers, young adults, and men who have sex with men, groups that often encounter barriers to regular clinic visits. In rural and peri-urban areas where clinics may be sparse, pharmacies can serve as frontline hubs for prevention, rapid testing where appropriate, and adherence support. The model also supports harm-reduction strategies by normalizing proactive HIV prevention in everyday health care settings.
Implementation: What Changes in Kenya Are Needed?
Several steps are underway to operationalize pharmacy-based PrEP. Training for pharmacists on PrEP eligibility, dosing, adherence counseling, and safety monitoring is essential. Clear guidelines and streamlined referral pathways ensure clients needing comprehensive care—such as HIV testing, STI screening, or treatment for side effects—receive timely support at clinics when necessary.
Regulatory frameworks must balance accessibility with safety. Kenya’s health authorities are evaluating protocols for over-the-counter access versus prescription-based models, ensuring that pharmacists can both assess risk and connect clients to clinical services. Data systems and supply chains also require strengthening to prevent stockouts and track uptake and adherence at the community level.
Adherence Support and Digital Tools
Adherence remains the linchpin of PrEP effectiveness. Pharmacy-based programs are pairing discreet reminder systems, follow-up calls, and digital adherence tools with in-person counseling. These supports help individuals maintain consistent PrEP use, maximize protection, and reduce the likelihood of new infections. Community health workers and peer educators are often integral to delivering culturally sensitive care alongside pharmacists.
Monitoring Impact and Looking Ahead
As Kenya expands PrEP access through pharmacies, surveillance will track reductions in new infections, adherence patterns, and disparities in uptake across regions. Early indicators suggest that when PrEP is more accessible, people at risk engage with prevention services sooner, which translates into fewer new infections over time. The continued collaboration between government, donors, and community organizations will be vital to scale, sustain, and optimize the program.
Why This Matters for Kenya’s 2030 Elimination Goal
Pharmacy-based PrEP aligns with Kenya’s ambitious 2030 vision to end new HIV infections. By removing barriers to prevention, expanding reach into underserved communities, and integrating prevention with broader sexual and reproductive health services, Kenya can accelerate progress toward its target. The approach also demonstrates a practical model for other countries facing similar epidemics, offering a template for expanding PrEP through trusted community touchpoints.
