Private pharmacy: an unattainable Eldorado for the majority of Cameroonian pharmacists?

While the practice of pharmacy in private sectors is attracting more and younger graduates in Cameroon, the reality on the ground is far from idyllic. Faced with exorbitant set-up costs and complex administrative procedures, opening a private pharmacy often seems like an uphill struggle, reserved for a privileged few.

This situation is prompting many pharmacists to turn to other alternatives, such as selling medicines online or working in hospitals. But what of the future of the pharmaceutical profession in Cameroon? Do the public authorities have the means to promote fairer access to private practice?

The principle of the sector is that, to develop the practice of the pharmacy profession towards private customers, a number of conditions need to be met.

First of all, you need to be a Cameroonian national, and that seems obvious. But for foreigners practicing their profession in Cameroon, they need to produce a reciprocity agreement between Cameroon and their country of origin. “First of all, there are several types of private clientele: pharmacies, wholesalers and biologists. And so the conditions for practicing as a pharmacist on a private clientele start with a minimum of one full year’s professional experience, plus an attestation or letter of recommendation certifying this. Then, you have to apply to the Ordre National des Pharmaciens du Cameroun (National Order of Pharmacists of Cameroon) according to the sites available throughout the country”, explains pharmacist Melvin ELEMVA.

He goes on to explain that the relevant file consists of: a stamped application to be sent to MINSANTE, a criminal record less than three (03) months old; but he also adds that you need to be in good standing with all contributions due to the Order, and issued by the Order’s council.

The application to work as a private pharmacist in Cameroon also includes a certified copy of the birth certificate less than three months old, a certificate of registration with the Cameroon National Order of Pharmacists issued by the Order’s Council, and a letter of release from the last employer.

As for the deposit to be paid, it is 5 million for wholesalers and requires capital of at least 100 million and 5 years’ professional experience. Melvin ELEMVA laments, “The difficulty lies in the 5 years’ professional experience required, since the civil service no longer recruits automatically. So when someone goes out, they’re focused on finding work, and even if they manage to get some capital, they can’t practice. But you have to be able to live, so what’s going to provide you with what you’re going to eat? This is no easy task.

It should also be noted that responses to applications are subject to conditions. “If it’s a site that’s not in too much demand, we can quickly give you the job, but if it’s a site that’s in too much demand, like Yaoundé and Douala, we can put your file behind those you’ve found,” he adds. Still, young pharmacists can’t have all these resources at the same time, because they’ve spent their time on the bench while others are looking for money. Now it’s just a question of finding the right balance between those who provide the finances and those who have the knowledge.

Elvis Nsaa / Charone DONGMO (journalism student on internship)