Equity Afya has expanded its healthcare delivery model with the launch of its second standalone community pharmacy in Nairobi.
The new pharmacy, located at Bruce House opposite Cardinal Otunga Plaza in Nairobi’s central business district, is the first outlet in the network to be owned and operated by a franchisee.
The initiative was developed in partnership with the Gates Foundation and is part of Equity Afya’s effort to expand access to primary healthcare services.
Equity Afya Opens Second Standalone Pharmacy in Nairobi
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Denis Ogolla, Managing Director of Equity Afya, said the pharmacy aims to bring healthcare access closer to consumers and create opportunities for healthcare professionals.
According to Ogolla, Equity Afya believes healthcare entrepreneurship can play a major role in expanding access to quality healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities.
“The ultimate goal is to expand inclusive, quality healthcare. Our role is to help bring an enabling ecosystem in which these entrepreneurs can thrive and grow sustainable enterprises, extending essential services to more people,” he said
He noted that while access to medical consultations has improved in recent years, obtaining medicines and other healthcare products remains a challenge for many patients.
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The Managing Director said the organization is focused on building an ecosystem that supports certified healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, doctors, and dentists, enabling them to expand healthcare access through commercially viable enterprises.
Nairobi CBD location was selected for its accessibility to a large, diverse population seeking healthcare products and services in the city center.
Building on a Growing Healthcare Network
The pharmacy initiative builds on the foundation established by Equity Afya’s growing clinic network.
Equity Afya currently operates 154 medical centers across Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with each facility equipped with an in-house pharmacy.
Dr. Gohil Jaimini, Chief Pharmacist at Equity Afya, said the new outlet represents a natural extension of the organization’s healthcare strategy.
He explained that the company intends to utilize the experience gained through its clinic network to provide affordable, high-quality medicines within communities.
The pharmacy stocks a wide range of products, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, baby-care items, wellness products, and other everyday healthcare essentials.
Focus on Medicines Access and Treatment Completion
Dr. Benson Musyoka, a Health Systems Strengthening Specialist, said many healthcare systems struggle with the gap between consultation and medicine access.
According to Musyoka, treatment is not complete if a patient receives a diagnosis and prescription but cannot access safe, quality, affordable medicines. He said the pharmacy model seeks to bridge that gap by bringing essential medicines closer to patients and improving availability at the community level.
The initiative also aims to strengthen healthcare delivery by integrating medicine distribution into a larger network of healthcare professionals and services.
Equity Afya plans to scale the model beyond Kenya as part of its regional healthcare expansion strategy. The organization has set an ambitious target of establishing 1,000 pharmacies across East and Central Africa, creating a network that will serve as both a healthcare access point and a platform for healthcare entrepreneurship.
“Healthcare does not end when you see a doctor or when you get a prescription. It only ends when a patient has been able to receive quality and safe medicines,” said Musyoka.
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