Malawi Wales Antimicrobial Pharmacy partnership – global minds, shared mission | Royal Pharmaceutical Society

By the Malawi-Wales Pharmacy Partnership

The Welsh Antimicrobial Pharmacy Group (WAPG) and Pharmaceutical Society of Malawi (PHASOM) formed a partnership in 2021 to champion antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and the empowerment of pharmacists as leaders in healthcare.

Since its formation, the partnership has been awarded three Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship (CwPAMS) grants between 2021-2026.

A shared ambition

The group’s goal is simple but ambitious: to equip pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with the knowledge and skills to lead AMS interventions within their healthcare facility, in line with the Malawi National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance.

What we’ve achieved together

Over the past few years, the partnership has made a significant impact. A global point prevalence survey was conducted across nine hospitals, contributing to antimicrobial usage data in Malawi. Over 600 healthcare professionals have been trained in AMS and clinical toolkits for AMS in hospitals and community pharmacies were co-developed and distributed through education sessions.

Pharmacists are increasingly recognised as clinical leaders within Malawian healthcare facilities and have joined national AMS meetings with the Ministry of Health. Teams from both Malawi and Wales have also been supported to undertake research and publish outcomes in international journals.

The partnership’s success lies in its spirit of collaboration and shared learning. Country visits between Malawi and Wales have encouraged bi-directional learning and professional mentoring, creating stronger connections between teams. During one visit, discussions between RPS and PHASOM explored opportunities to strengthen ties between both professional bodies - particularly around policy influence and government engagement.

Eight members from both countries have completed a Global Health Fellowship, with three more in progress. The partnership has also been recognised externally, receiving a highly commended award in the Hub Cymru Africa Best New Partnership category in 2022 and being shortlisted in the UK Antibiotic Guardian Awards for Multi-country collaboration in 2025.

Impact in Wales

The benefits of this partnership extend far beyond Malawi. For Health Boards across Wales, involvement has enhanced global health engagement and leadership in AMS. It has provided unique opportunities for professional development through international collaboration supporting credentialling pathways.

Participants have contributed to the UK’s National Action plan for AMR. Many now mentor pharmacists across both Africa and the UK, reflecting on their experiences to strengthen leadership and innovation in their respective Health Boards across Wales.

Future plans

The partnership continues to evolve, with exciting plans for the future. Next steps include expanding AMS work within community pharmacies across Malawi, focusing on an illustrated public health campaign to combat literacy and dialect challenges identified through interview feedback.

The team is also exploring new funding streams to support this vital work and offer opportunities to more pharmacy professionals to get involved.

Find out more about the Malawi Wales Pharmacy Partnership.