Pharmacist

Job description

1. Medicines Management & Pharmacy Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the pharmacy department, ensuring efficient workflow and full compliance with regulatory and institutional standards
• Manage the procurement, storage, dispensing, and control of controlled substances in strict accordance with statutory and institutional requirements, maintaining accurate records and audit trails
• Monitor stock levels and expiry dates across the pharmacy and wards to minimize wastage
• Lead the medication disposal process, coordinating a collaborative once-off disposal exercise with the laboratory and wards (1–2 times per year)
• Identify, investigate, and implement corrective actions to reduce medication errors, fostering a culture of safety within the pharmacy and wards
• Lead the hospital’s annual forecasting and quantification exercise for pharmaceutical and laboratory commodities

2. Procurement & Quality Assurance

• Source and order drugs and other pharmaceutical products from approved suppliers, balancing cost-effectiveness with product quality and reliability
• Conduct quality assurance and quality control checks on incoming pharmaceutical products to ensure they meet required standards before dispensing
• Process import permits, particularly for international donations, in liaison with relevant regulatory authorities

3. Patient Care & Clinical Support

• Manage patient medication records through the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system and process ward requisitions in a fully computerized environment
• Participate in ward rounds alongside the medical team, contributing pharmaceutical expertise to patient management decisions
• Contribute to the formulation of individualized patient care plans in collaboration with clinicians
• Screen prescriptions and treatment regimens to identify and prevent potential drug-drug interactions and other medication-related risks

4. Pharmacovigilance

• Lead pharmacovigilance activities across the hospital, including staff training on adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting and safe medication practices
• Prepare pharmacovigilance reports and support monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of medication safety trends
• Serve as a key resource for medicine safety information for clinical staff

5. Regulatory Affairs & Compliance

• Provide regulatory oversight of pharmacy operations, ensuring compliance with requirements from the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA), Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ), and other relevant bodies
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of applicable pharmaceutical laws, guidelines, and standards, ensuring institutional practices remain compliant
• Participate in internal and external audits, addressing findings and implementing recommended improvements