UNLOCKING UNTAPPED POTENTIAL: Q's & A's with the Visionary Dr. Louis Somoni Machogu

Dr. Louis talked to us on the vision behind his PSK Presidential Bid and why the timing is perfect for renaissance of the profession of Pharmacy under the banner of Pharmacist for Family, Purpose and Leadership (#PFPL)

A. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE FOR THE PROFESSION?

B. WHO THEN, ARE WE AS PHARMACISTS CALLED OR CUT OUT TO BE?

C. WHAT ARE THESE #PFPL GUIDING VALUES YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT? 

D. AS PHARMACISTS WE'RE NOT THERE YET! (WHERE AM I NOW?)

E. WHERE ARE WE GOING AGAIN? (THE 5 BEST PRACTICE CENTERS

F. AS A MEMBER, WHAT IS MY ROLE AND HOW DO I BENEFIT FROM THESE 5 BESTS PRACTICE CENTERS?

G. HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE/DELIVER THE VISION OF THE 5 BEST PRACTICE CENTRES?

H. WHO IS DR. LOUIS SOMONI MACHOGU?

I. WHY DR. LOUIS SOMONI MACHOGU FOR PRESIDENT OF PSK?

J. WHAT ARE THE COMMITMENTS DR. LOUIS SOMONI MACHOGU IS MAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY?

K. WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE FOR DR. LOUIS SOMONI MACHOGUS PRESIDENCY?

L. WILL YOU BE THROWING THE BABY ALONG WITH THE BIRTH WATER?

M. AS A MEMBER, WHAT NEXT (IMPORTANT DATES)?

N. ANY PARTING SHOTS FOR MEMBERS?

*STARTS*

Dr. Louis Somoni Machogu

Visionary and Thought Leader on Purpose, Family and Enterprise

A. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE ?

You launched your bid earlier this week and members are asking, what's the future going to look like?

The future is ripe and ready with opportunities and challenges that we as pharmacists have been particularly prepared for and skilled at. This future, however will be unlocked by the Pharmacists who are ready to be all they were cut out to be, are working together and guided by the values and principles of Family, Purpose and Leadership (#PFPL) i.e. Service, Loyalty, Integrity, Courage and Leadership in order to get back our lost sheen and value to each other and the public as well as other stakeholders.

B. WHO THEN, ARE WE AS PHARMACISTS CALLED OR CUT OUT TO BE?

We as pharmacists have great work ethics and a heart for process, quality, scalability and reproducibility. I personally see us as individuals who have achieved mastery & balance to step up and out offering problem solving and leadership solutions in Purpose guided by the #PFPL values and principles: Service, Loyalty, Integrity, Courage and Knowledge.

C. WHAT ARE THESE #PFPL GUIDING VALUES YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT? 

These are the transformational values that are meant to help us take off the silo and solo approach that have made our profession a shadow of its former self. These are 5:

1.  Service to each other and for a greater purpose;

 2. Loyalty to each other, our profession and for the greater public good;

3. Integrity wherever we are and in the face of whatever situations face us;

4. Courage to step up & out to raise the standards and value from the profession and;

5. continuously seek out opportunities to learn & share Knowledge.

Acronym SLICK as adopted from the Transform Nations Kenya code of leadership

For the 5 practice centres to be successful, we'll seek to practice and impart these #PFPL values and principles onto the profession, one Pharmacist at a Time - No Short Cut!

D. AS PHARMACISTS WE'RE NOT THERE YET! (WHERE AM I NOW?)

As much as we have a great potential and a great pedigree of technical and academic abilities - I find that we have allowed our potential to be tamed.

We have allowed ourselves to be boxed into silos:

I am just a Pharmacist in Public, Community, Industry, Corporate, Hospital, Specialised, Jobless, Young, Retired, Thinking of Retirement, Experienced, Enterprising, Successful, Failed, Political, Contributed to mess in profession, Not fitting in the profession, Stuck in Debt, with an unprofitable practice, Lost, Confused, Investment/Career/Family/Academic/Social/Community focused, an out of balance or simply a pharmacist who has lost all hope and confidence in the profession and will seek to cut life out alone.

You'll agree with me that we are more than this narrative we've come to believe. It's time that we shake this off, work on our teamwork putting on the Pharmacists for Family Purpose and Leadership #PFPL values, step up and broaden our horizon to unlock the potential and offer much needed leadership for the betterment of self, each other, the profession and for the public good.

E. WHERE ARE WE GOING AGAIN? (THE 5 BEST PRACTICE CENTERS

Now that we know where we are as individuals or as a profession and where we want to go. We can choose to wait in sidelines or join up and be the first/early adopters by joining hands together and deliver on the Vision of the 5 Best Practice Centres, that will:

•      Influence values & cultural change

•      Unlock both Inner & External Potential within the Pharmacist Community

•      Improve Public & Stakeholder perception and uptake of the professions products and services.

The 5 Best Practice Centres are:

1. Coaching & Leadership Centre,

2. Community Centre,

3. Supply Chain Centre,

4. Manufacturing Centre and

5. Waste management Centre.

*Community is that interface between the professional and the patient at the hospital, retail pharmacy, lab or consultation.

F. AS A MEMBER, WHAT IS MY ROLE AND HOW DO I BENEFIT FROM THESE 5 BESTS PRACTICE CENTERS?

The centres are our proactive and offensive way of reinstating ourselves as leaders in healthcare and the communities we belong to demonstrating the value of pharmacists. The following are the beneficiaries and benefits per Best Practice Centre:

1. Setting up and Running the PSK Coaching and Leadership Centre

First we need to work on our values and culture as a family of pharmacists in order to repair it.

Ditch the silos & solo approach; take on, be guided & held accountable to each other along values of: Service, Loyalty, Integrity, Courage and Knowledge quest.

Beneficiaries: All Pharmacist, Public & other Stakeholders

Benefits:

•      Experienced Pharmacists with fruitful leadership will be able to earn or serve in coaching younger and upcoming pharmacists .

•      Leadership & Grant awards to appreciate, recognise, encourage & reward members with fruitful & impactful leadership to continue doing more in their sectors.

•      Train, equip and create a pool of pharmacists to take up leadership in family, sector, elective or state jobs that we can vouch for.

•      We’ll create an all rounded balanced pharmacist.

•      Demonstrate, influence, inspire and challenge other professionals in this country to step up a step out to offer leadership.

•      This centre will grow to be our take on raising the technical aspects of pharmacy training as well.

2. Setting up and Running a Community Best Practice Centre

•      Make Green Cross a Franchise owned and run by Pharmacists and partners that will uphold the minimum practice standards & guidelines. The franchise will include a Hospital(s), Consulting clinics, laboratories and pharmacies

•      Beneficiaries: Pharmacists in Community, Hospital, Public, and those looking to invst; Public and Regulator

Benefits:

• Public will access quality, affordable, verifiable and traceable products and services, qualified personnel who have received the best in patient care training.
• This centre will augment regulators (PPB) efforts through self regulation models to weed out quacks, cut or trace supply of counterfeits, and strengthen pharmacovigilance.
• Development of Professional Standards : This is the centre where Pharmacists will practice and demonstrate documentable value & evidence on role of Pharmacists in achieving efficiencies and desirable patient, and cost outcomes within the healthcare delivery system.
• Raising profile of pharmacists: Out put from this centre will then be used to inform policy change (e.g. patient care guidelines, specialisation, leadership) -
• Research centre: Pharmacists will also use this centre as a research base to publish and improve on knowleadge
• Pharmacists will access grants and recognition awards for work done and evidence based best practices documented and shared for critique with aim of influencing policy and improving public health outcomes.
• Pharmacists will access international resources (journals and other tools) to keep up with current happenings
• Offer enterprising and passionate members: financing; branding; marketing; business management tools, innovation & software; HRH screening & management; Pooled and Data Analytics informed inventory management; buy out, merger and or operate members business on behalf of self or family.
• Will also tap and offer solutions in renaissance at NHIF and offer solutions to Medical Insurance and medical financing sector.
• This will be a place that offers pharmacists employment and showcase their entrepreneurial, management and leadership abilities.
• We will fix public health in Kenya from best practices, solutions and interventions emanating from this centre (affordability, accessibility, availability, quality products and services and qualified motivated personnel).
• This will also build a base to build our Supply Chain Centre and benefit from inefficiencies (next)
• This centre will also strengthen revenue collection for the government through elimination of quacks

3. Setting up and running a Supply Chain Best Practice Centre

Beneficiaries: Pharmacists in Distribution, Retail, Hospital, Public and those looking to invest; Public, Counties and Regulator

Benefits:

• Public will access quality, affordable, verifiable and traceable products and services.
• Public institutions, counties and any other bulk purchasers of medicines will have peace of mind that professionals are taking full responsibility of quality, availability and affordability of medicines.
• This centre will strengthen regulator (PPB) efforts through self regulation models to weed out quacks, cut or trace supply of counterfeits, and strengthen pharmacovigilance.
• Offer Distributors a chance to consolidate and competitively bid for medicine and medical supply tenders – as self or consortium of subscribed members
• Offer Distributors a platform to screen, and guarantee stocks out with members in Green Cross Chain
• Offer members with distribution business: financing; branding; marketing; business management tools & software; HR screening & management; buy out, merger and or operate members business on behalf of self or family.
• Offer support to public sector and private retail market while heavily tapping into our Green Cross brand.
• Offer a place where pharmacists keen in supply chain are employed and given a chance to innovate, raise practice standards, career growth and invest in
• This centre will also strengthen revenue collection for the government through elimination of tenderprenuers, offer employment and allow Kenyans to buy and build Kenya

4. Setting up and running a Manufacturing Best Practice Centre

Beneficiaries: Pharmacists interested in Manufacturing or Investment, Members of Public and Regulator

Benefits:

• This centre will also strengthen revenue collection for the government through elimination of tenderprenuers - growth of export of medicines, reduction of imporataion of medicines, offer employment and allow Kenyans to buy and build Kenya
• Public will access quality, affordable, verifiable and traceable products and services as the best standards of medicine manufacturing and discovery will be undertaken here.
• Public institutions, counties and any other bulk purchasers of medicines will have peace of mind that professionals are taking full responsibility of quality, availability and affordability of medicines.
• This centre will strengthen regulator (PPB) efforts through self regulation models to weed out quacks, cut or trace supply of counterfeits, and strengthen pharmacovigilance.
• A place where we can manufacture to meet unmet demand e.g. IV fluids;
• A place where pharmacists keen in industry are employed and given a chance to innovate, raise practice standards, career growth and invest in.
• Offer members with manufacturing business: financing; branding; marketing; business management tools & software; HR screening & management; buy out, merger and or operate members business on behalf of self or family.

5. Continue and scale Waste Management Centre

Beneficiaries: Pharmacists in Public, Retail, Distribution and Hospital; members of public and Regulator

Benefits:

·        To tap into demand for safe medical waste disposal and enforcement of consumer health right as per Kenyan constitution.

·        Offer members a way to dispose off of waste and create a safe work environment

G. HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE/DELIVER THE VISION OF THE 5 BEST PRACTICE CENTRES?

We'll look internally, work on ingraining our Pharmacist for Family, Purpose and Leadership (#PFPL) values and principles then;

Get members who get it and like minded knowledge, technology and investment partners to walk with us as we deliver on this vision for the profession.

H. WHO IS DR. LOUIS SOMONI MACHOGU?

I am an individual that has achieved mastery & balance and is stepping up and out to offer problem solving solutions and leadership in Purpose guided by the #PFPL values and principles. I am a registered Pharmacist 1940 and graduated from the University of Nairobi class of 2005.

My biggest constituency outside myself and my family is that of the Pharmacist Community: There are more than 2 people that are Pharmacists and I call: My Family, Personal Friends, Business Associates, Parents of former school mates, Mentors and Mentees from all pharmacy sub sectors.

My wife and I are both pharmacists with 3 children.

I have a great understanding of the aspirations, pains, challenges, struggles, disillusionment, successes, and opportunities that face us as pharmacist.

I have practiced in Mombasa, Samburu and Nairobi counties and innovated, started, grew and sold more than 2 health businesses most notable Haltons Pharmacy with presence across 14 counties with great learnings both positive & negative that I am looking to impart for better outcomes on the profession.

My character, journey, and leadership can be backed up and vouched for by fruits and returns from my leadership as well as from those who have mentored me both within and without the pharmacy fraternity

Most importantly: I submit to a higher authority other than myself.

Last but not Least vote for me for: I have a Vision, Devotion, Passion, Experience and Purpose to Serve the Pharmacist

You can also read more on who Dr. Louis is called out to be HERE.

I. WHY DR. LOUIS SOMONI MACHOGU FOR PRESIDENT OF PSK?

I believe I am the right candidate as one who has a proven ability to set vision, build culture, influence results through others, build strong relationships, and make sound strategic decisions that drive impact.

J. WHAT ARE THE COMMITMENTS DR. LOUIS SOMONI MACHOGU IS MAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY?

• Work with all members in delivering of the 5 Best Practice Centres over the next 6 years. It is in all our interest irrespective of the sectors we are in.
• Loyalty to the profession and public good.
• Objectivity, Respect, and Upholding Dignity of the profession
• Declaring conflict of Interest
• Transparency and Integrity (in my Leadership, Dealings, Plans, Financials, Progress Reports)

K. WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE FOR DR. LOUIS SOMONI MACHOGUS PRESIDENCY?

•      Delivering on the vision of the 5 Best Practice Centres: Leadership, Community, Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Waste Management Centres

•      Raising up Individuals and teams to Purposefully take up the Responsibility of offering Leadership in the Areas of:

o  Practice – Hospital, Community, Research, Education)

o  Policy

o  Civil Service

o  Enterprise (Innovation, Community, Marketing, Distribution, Education, Access, Affordability, Quality, Manufacturing, Delivery)

L. WILL YOU BE THROWING THE BABY ALONG WITH THE BIRTH WATER?

The process of the renaissance in pharmacy is akin to the road construction process.

The previous administrations season was to bring down, tear down and dig deep - a job they have undertaken greatly - especially with the changes with various legislative instruments. Now that that season has passed, we are now laying the foundation and putting up the overpasses and tarmac then launch the road. I am greatly blessed and equipped with skills and experience to tackle the tasks of this season. 

So, no - I will continue with some of the work that is on their desk working with the office of the CEO and the National Governing Council - of which the outgoing President is an Ex-Officio member. 

We'll follow up on:

• Strengthening and Fostering a healthy working relationship with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) - our agenda is the same upholding the profession and serving the public good. Our specific targets: to ensure a quality practice space, specialization guidelines, recognition in the clinical practice guidelines, counties are adhering to best practices in GDP, training standards are upheld and that the profession is keeping abreast, remaining relevant and meets the greater public needs keeping up with emerging issues
• Consider rearranging and strengthening PSK committees for efficiencies and effectiveness:

- Community Sector (this is the interface between professionals and the public) - hospital and retail pharmacy

- Public Sector

- Regulatory and Legal

- Academic/Journal

• Continue with innovative and affordable ways of delivering content and unlocking value to members
• Continue with convenient methods of subscribing members including the successful check off system
• Quarterly sector specific meetings with SMART agenda, action and M&E plans
• Biannual sector themed conferences (hosted by county branches)
• Host one International conference during the 6 year term
• Partnering with other stakeholders and professionals for purposes of continuously upholding practice standards, upholding patient safety, members welfare and tackling emerging issues.

M. AS A MEMBER, WHAT NEXT (IMPORTANT DATES)?

1. Paying up subscription by August 8th 2017 to be eligible to vote or stand for elections.

2. Notify the National Elections Board of your preferred method of voting email, SMS etc by 22nd August 2017

3. Spread the agenda of Delivering on the 5 Best Practice Centres by we the Pharmacists for Family, Purpose and Leadership (#PFPL)

3. Vote and mobilise colleagues to vote for Dr. Louis Somoni Machogu during the election casting period 27th September to 3rd October 2017.

4. Position self and Take up active participation in PSK activities at branches, National level and the Best Practice Centres

5. Offer input/solutions, track and challenge pace via email and during meetings

N. ANY PARTING SHOT TO MEMBERS?

Thank you for the overwhelming support, feedback and critique you have accorded. I am still consulting (you'll also see me at you meetings) widely to get your input as we clarify this vision and this question still holds:

What do you think?

You can reach out via:

 Whatsapp or Telegram: 0705015501

Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIN: Dr. Louis Somoni Machogu

*ENDS*