UK-Africa Leadership Fellowship for Antimicrobial Stewardship (UK-ALF-A): A Bilateral Learning Approach to Advancing AMS Expertise Among Pharmacists.

Background

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) implementation and leadership capacity remain limited. Pharmacists play a central role in AMS but often lack access to structured leadership development. To address this gap, the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association developed the UK-Africa Leadership Fellowship in Antimicrobial Stewardship (UK-ALF-A), a 12-month bidirectional leadership development programme combining online learning modules, live webinars, peer-learning sessions, dual mentorship from UK- and Africa-based mentors, and workplace-based AMS continuous quality improvement projects. UK-ALF-A was designed to strengthen leadership capability among pharmacists in the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

This study evaluated changes in leadership capability among pharmacists participating in the programme and explored how fellows applied these capabilities within AMS-related practice. A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted with 40 fellows (20 UK, 20 Africa), using pre- and post-programme self-assessments and 360-degree colleague feedback based on the International Pharmaceutical Federation Global Advanced Development Framework (FIP GADF), alongside post-fellowship surveys and semi-structured interviews.

Results

The proportion of fellows self-assessing at the highest competency level increased from 10% pre-programme to 39% post-programme, with corresponding increases in colleague feedback ratings from 17% to 49%. Qualitative data from open-ended survey responses and semi-structured interviews suggested improvements in leadership confidence, communication, and ability to influence AMS practice. Fellows reported leading prescribing improvements and multidisciplinary engagement, often without formal authority, with greater relative gains observed among Africa-based participants.

Conclusions

UK-ALF-A was associated with enhanced leadership capability and contributions to AMS practice, alongside reported changes in individual and organisational practices that support broader health system strengthening, highlighting its value as a workforce development model.