Upendo Kayecke Chenya
Dar es Salaam
Overview
4
4
Certification
16
16
years of professional experience
Summary
Pharmacist with extensive experience in pharmaceuticals and public health, emphasizing regulatory compliance and leadership in drug evaluation. Proven track record in coordinating forensic investigations and drug demand reduction initiatives, collaborating with diverse stakeholders to achieve improved health outcomes.
Work History
Principal Pharmacist
Prime Minister’s Office
Dar es Salaam
01.2018 - Current
- Provide strategic oversight of forensic and inspection operations to ensure compliance with national and international drug control regulations.
- Coordinate forensic investigations related to illicit drugs, controlled substances, and precursor chemicals.
- Lead regulatory inspections of pharmaceutical products, precursor chemicals, import/export consignments, and controlled substances.
- Support evidence management, technical documentation, and reporting for enforcement, prosecution, and policy decisions.
- Collaborate with national and international stakeholders to monitor emerging drug trends and strengthen public health protections.
- Contribute to policy implementation, capacity building, and multi-sectoral coordination initiatives.
Senior Prevention and Treatment Officer
Prime Minister’s Office
Dar es Salaam
01.2010 - 12.2017
- Coordinated drug demand reduction initiatives, including prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs.
- Designed and implemented drug-free public awareness campaigns.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers, government institutions, and civil society organizations to strengthen access to treatment services.
- Supported development and implementation of national strategies and policies on drug prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.
- Conducted monitoring, data collection, and reporting on drug trends and treatment outcomes.
- Facilitated capacity building activities and professional training programs.
Hospital Pharmacist
Kinondoni Municipal Council – Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital
Dar es Salaam
05.2012 - 12.2017
- Managed pharmaceuticals, procurement, storage, and distribution.
- Oversaw rational use of Methadone and other narcotics within the hospital.
Hospital Pharmacist
Tanga Regional Council – Bombo Regional Referral Hospital
Tanga
01.2010 - 12.2010
- Managed pharmaceuticals, procurement, reporting, and monitoring of medical supplies in all departments.
- Supervised pharmaceutical management in the Care and Treatment Centre (CTC).
Community Pharmacist
JD Pharmaceutical Limited
Dar es Salaam
01.2010 - 12.2010
- Managed pharmacy dispensing practices, adverse effect reporting, product sales, and monitoring of medical product flow.
Education
MSc - Drug Regulatory Affairs
University of Nicosia
Cyprus10-2026
MSc - International Public Health
John Moores University
Liverpool, UK01-2023
MBA - Procurement and Supplies Management
Coventry University
UK01-2017
BSc - Pharmacy, Health Science
Dr. MGR Medical University
Chennai, India09-2009
Advanced Secondary Education Certificate -
Nganza Girls Secondary School
Mwanza03-2005
Ordinary Secondary Education Certificate -
Hekima Girls Secondary School
Bukoba10-2003
Computer Certificate - Microsoft Applications
Community Tele-Center Limited
Mwanza10-2002
Skills
- Public health policy and program development
- Regulatory inspection and forensic oversight
- Leadership and team management
- Drug and medical device evaluation and registration
- Health product supply chain management
- Drug addiction prevention and treatment
- Advocacy for women’s reproductive health
Affiliations
- Registered Pharmacist, Pharmacy Council of Tanzania
- Member, Pharmaceutical Society of Tanzania (PST), 2010
- Member, International Association for Exchange of Students for Technical Experiences (IAESTE), 2014
- External Expert, Medicines Evaluation and Regulation, TMDA, 2020
- Board Member, DCEA Auditory Board, 2023
- Board Member, DCEA Tender Board, 2024
- Board Member, DCEA Food Safety & Hygiene Committee, 2024
- Board Member, Ihumwa Pre & Primary School, 2022
Certification
I, Upendo Chenya, certify that the information provided in this CV is true and correct., ______________________, 03/13/26
Publications
- Human immunodeficiency virus recency testing coverage and partner-notification services among people living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries., World Journal of Virology, 14, 4, p.111810, https://doi.org/10.5501/wjv.v14.i4.111810
- Characterization of human immunodeficiency virus drug-resistance mutations among individuals with low-level-viremia in low- and middle-income countries: A meta-analysis., World Journal of Virology, 15, 1, p.114375, https://doi.org/10.5501/wjv.v15.i1.114375
- Incidence of opportunistic infection among people living with HIV in Rwanda; Does treat all policy matter?, BMC infectious diseases, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-026-13328-0
References
- Dr. Grace Magembe, Chief Medical Officer of Tanzania, P.O Box 743, Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania, +255 767300234, magembegrace@yahoo.com
- Mrs. Deus Buma, Associate Researcher, Muhimbili National Hospital, P.O Box 65000, Dar Es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, +255 787228282, deus.buma@gmail.com
- Ms. Sophia Ally Mziray, Eastern Zone, TMDA, P.O Box 543, Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, +255 652565605, sophia.mziray@gmail.com
Hobbies and Interests
- Research
- Traveling
- Reading
Projects
- Drug Regulatory Affairs and Harm Reduction Policies, Tanzania & LMICs, 09/01/25
- Effectiveness of Medically Assisted Treatment Programs, Liverpool John Moores University, UK, 09/01/23
- Supply Chain Performance and Customer Satisfaction Case Study, Mwananyamala Regional Hospital, Tanzania, 01/01/17
- Methadone Take Away Dose (TAD) Research, CDC Tanzania, 07/01/15 - 07/01/16
- Isolation of Ganoderic acids, Martin Luther University, Germany, 09/01/14
- Solanisol Content Estimation, Dr. MGR Medical University, India, 09/01/09
Personal Information
- Title: Principal Pharmacist
- Date of Birth: 01/26/85
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: Tanzanian
- Marital Status: Married
Training And Conferences
- Basic Leadership training College, National Service, Kimbiji, Dar es Salaam, 07/01/25 - 09/30/25
- Symposium on Current Trends in Seized Drugs Analysis, 01/26/26 - 01/30/26
- 5th International Symposium of Forensic Drug Testing Laboratory Directors, Casablanca, Morocco, 01/19/26 - 01/23/26
- Training on Financial Crimes Investigation, U.S. AFRICOM, 01/13/26 - 01/16/26
- Women Leadership Program, Uongozi Institute, Dar es Salaam, 10/01/23 - 06/30/24
- Precursor Chemicals and Synthetic Drugs Workshop, South Africa, 03/05/24 - 03/07/24
- 3rd International Conference on Public Health in Africa, Zambia, 11/27/23 - 11/30/23
Timeline
Principal Pharmacist
Prime Minister’s Office
01.2018 - Current
Hospital Pharmacist
Kinondoni Municipal Council – Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital
05.2012 - 12.2017
Senior Prevention and Treatment Officer
Prime Minister’s Office
01.2010 - 12.2017
Hospital Pharmacist
Tanga Regional Council – Bombo Regional Referral Hospital
01.2010 - 12.2010
Community Pharmacist
JD Pharmaceutical Limited
01.2010 - 12.2010
MSc - Drug Regulatory Affairs
University of Nicosia
MSc - International Public Health
John Moores University
MBA - Procurement and Supplies Management
Coventry University
BSc - Pharmacy, Health Science
Dr. MGR Medical University
Advanced Secondary Education Certificate -
Nganza Girls Secondary School
Ordinary Secondary Education Certificate -
Hekima Girls Secondary School
Computer Certificate - Microsoft Applications
Community Tele-Center Limited