The first 50 students have graduated from an innovative pharmacy assistant training program in Malawi.

They will work in rural health centers, dispensing life-saving medication and managing inventory. Graduates are expected to make an almost immediate impact, allowing health workers to devote more time to patient care.

The program was a collaboration between the UW Global Medicines Program (based in the Department of Global Health and affiliated with the School of Pharmacy), the Malawi Ministry of Health, USAID, the Malawi College of Health Sciences and Seattle-based NGO VillageReach.

“This visionary program addresses one of the most critical issues facing many countries—shortages of qualified pharmacy workers,” said Andy Stergachis, professor of global health and director of the Global Medicines Program.