ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequitable access to medicines in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly due to limited capabilities for local manufacture. Aim(s): To describe priority medicine lists and critical skill sets required for an emergency compounding of COVID-19 medicines training programme. Method(s): An evaluation of the COVID-19 emergency compounding readiness programme for the University of Namibia pharmacy graduates. The main outcomes were enhanced skill sets in compounding, quality control, and regulation of priority COVID-19 medicines. Data on outcomes were thematically analysed. Result(s): Fifty-eight pharmacy graduates demonstrated competence in emergency compounding, quality control, regulation, and provision of therapeutic information of COVID-19 medicines. A priority list and a skills set for emergency compounding of COVID-19 medicines were developed. Conclusion(s): The upskilling of pharmacy graduates on emergency compounding of COVID-19 medicines has the potential to address inequalities in the rapid response and control of epidemics. Copyright © 2020 FIP.