DR. JOHN KANYI – RADIOPHARMACIST

1.  Name: Dr. John Kanyi

2. Nationality: Kenyan 🇰🇪

3. Age: 34 Years

4. Would you walk us through your academic journey?

I attended Ng’elesha Primary School in Ng’arua, Laikipia, and then Ndururumo High School in Nyahururu. I joined the University of Nairobi in October 2006 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (BPharm) in Dec 2010.  I hold a postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy from the MTRH College of Health Sciences. I am currently pursuing an MPharm (Radiopharmacy) at Sefako Makgatho University of Health Sciences, South Africa.

5. Do you love being a pharmacist? Yes!

6. Which places have you worked so far? 

I did my internship at Laborex, then Lifecare Pharmaceuticals and then MTRH for my hospital rotation. After the internship, I was posted to Masalani District Hospital, Garissa County, where I immediately became the district pharmacist. I didn’t work there for long; looking back, I have some of the best memories from there. For instance, I had to learn how to ride a motorbike (for supervisory visits), and on one instance, I drove past a police roadblock and then directly into a bush (sic). I also had an encounter with a flock of sheep that for some reason, had to overtake my bike, then cross the road…that’s the last time I rode.

– I moved back to MTRH/AMPATH in 2013 for my clinical pharmacy residency, and that’s where I still work.

Are there any specialized clinics worth mentioning?

– Yes. In MTRH, I have been working in the Anticoagulation clinic. I developed an interest during my residency, after which I was deployed there as a pharmacist.

7. What is the role(s) of a pharmacist in an anticoagulation clinic?

The clinic is managed by a pharmacist, who is basically involved in seeing patients as well as overseeing day to day running of the clinic. Working with other clinicians, part of the daily routines involves doing point-of-care INRs, adjusting warfarin doses and scheduling visits based on how the patient is doing. This needs interdisciplinary consults with clinicians to ensure treatment goals are met for the duration the patient is on anticoagulation.

8. How does it feel to join the exclusive members-only club of radioPharmacists/Nuclear Pharmacists? 😅😅 – Well…exclusive? Okay, I’m still a newbie here (in school), but I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue a novel specialization in pharmacy.

9. Given your background in clinical pharmacy, what inspired the move to pursue RadioPharmacy? 

I have been providing clinical pharmacy in the wards and the anticoagulation clinic since my internship. I was looking for a new challenge, but still something that would require my clinical pharmacy skills. I’ve also had an interest in oncology for the longest time….and Radiopharmacy ties all that together.

10. What is the Kenyan and Global Job market with regard to radiopharmacy? 

I think the demand is increasing both locally and globally. Nuclear medicine is a super-specialized area, and Kenya is just starting to set up the services. Other developed countries are way ahead in terms of services and infrastructure, so I think openings are there. We only have 2 or 3 trained radio pharmacists in Kenya; demand can only go up.

11. What has been your biggest struggle in the Pharmacy field?

Wow. That’s a difficult question. Mmmhh… I’d say it’s having to do ward rounds in surgery or other specialties that are not used to seeing a pharmacist in the wards. I initially got weird looks as if to ask what are you doing here? But you push on and do your best. With time, it gets fulfilling to see your services being appreciated and sought after.

12. If you were to change one thing about the profession, what would it be?

The rising unemployment of pharmacists in the last few years. We need a solution urgently in the whole medical field. It’s troubling.

13. Do you have anything you do apart from pharmacy, either for income generation or leisure?

 Well, maybe not currently. But I love farming, and I know one day I will go big on it. I just love watching plants grow, and hopefully, I will watch money grow, too hehe!

14. Advice to other pharmacists, especially Young Pharmacists.

Let’s do more, and go the extra mile every day. Let your impact be felt at whatever level/area you are. And most importantly, be the patient’s advocate.