Development of a Clinical Pharmacist Integration Model for HIV/AIDS Management Clinics in South South Nigeria

Clinical pharmacists are underutilised in HIV/AIDS management clinics in Nigeria despite growing evidence of their impact on treatment outcomes. This study developed a clinical pharmacist integration model for HIV/AIDS treatment clinics in the South South geopolitical zone, using Rivers and Delta States as model sites. A programme development methodology incorporating systematic needs assessment, literature review, and stakeholder consensus was adopted. Needs assessment was conducted through surveys of 60 ART clinic staff and 40 HIV patients at six hospitals, identifying major gaps in adherence counselling, ART toxicity management, and drug interaction screening. Published evidence on pharmacist interventions in HIV care from African and comparable resource-limited settings was synthesised to identify applicable best practices. A model was developed encompassing six pharmacist functions: pre-ART counselling, regimen selection support, adherence monitoring and counselling, toxicity surveillance, drug interaction screening, and transition of care support. A proposed implementation guide includes role delineation, training requirements, documentation standards, and outcome metrics. Stakeholder validation workshops were conducted at four ART clinics, achieving consensus on feasibility in 82 percent of proposed activities. Identified implementation challenges include pharmacist shortages and inadequate documentation systems. The study recommends piloting the integration model at two ART clinics in Port Harcourt and Warri, with formal outcome evaluation at 12 months, and calls on state health ministries to fund pharmacist positions within ART clinic multidisciplinary teams.

Keywords: clinical pharmacist, HIV/AIDS management, ART clinic, South South Nigeria, pharmacist integration