The flagship outlet is the first in a planned regional network designed to expand access to quality medicines, timely and accessible services and trusted care. Equity Group Foundation executive chairman James Mwangi, Gates Foundation Regional director for Africa, Pauline Basinga) and Equity Group Holdings chairman Isaac Macharia during the official launch of the Equity Afya Community Pharmacy at Britam Towers, Nairobi.
This initiative further underscores Equity Group’s long-term vision of investing in resilient health systems that empower individuals, support communities, and drive inclusive socio-economic development. The flagship outlet is the first in a planned regional network designed to expand access to quality medicines, timely and accessible services and trusted care.
The launch marks a strategic expansion beyond its existing network of 154 medical centres across all 47 counties in Kenya and DRC, each with in-house pharmacies, into a dedicated community-facing retail pharmacy. The new pharmacy offers complimentary blood pressure and blood sugar screening services, empowering individuals to take proactive steps towards managing their health, make informed decisions, and seek timely medical support when needed.
In addition, the pharmacy offers wellness and nutrition guidance to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and enhance overall well-being, supporting individuals and families to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. The community pharmacy builds on the success of the Equity Afya model, which is a direct outcome of Equity Group Foundation's long-standing investment in education, leadership development, and human capital through the Equity Leaders Program (ELP).
Speaking at the opening of this first outlet, Equity Group Foundation executive chairman, James Mwangi, said that the expansion from clinical care into community pharmacy is a further step into the Group's core mission to foster social and economic transformation by ensuring access to essential and quality medicines for all Kenyans.
“Today, very few Kenyans have convenient access to a licensed pharmacy, underscoring deep inequalities that leave vast populations underserved and excluded from essential care.” “This contributes to suboptimal health outcomes and ultimately constrains Kenya's economic resilience.
Against this backdrop, we are launching a transformative solution.” Through this franchise model, the group is targeting to enhance access to high-quality, affordable medicine and integrated healthcare, to reduce the cost of medicine by 50 to 80 per cent.