Qualifications

BPharm, MPharm, PhD, PGDHE

Designation

Associate Professor

Room No: 4021 Telephone: 046 603 7074 Email: rajesh.vagiri@ru.ac.za 

Teaching:

• PC4521
• PC 351

Research

• Mental Health
• HIV/AIDS
• Treatment Outcomes
• Pharmacovigilance

Selected publications

• Muzumbukilwa, T. W., Manimani, R. G., Vagiri, R. V., & Nlooto, M. (2025). A comparative analysis of compliance with HIV/AIDS clinical care indicators and treatment outcomes: A case study of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa. African Journal of AIDS Research, 24(3-4), 142-161. [Taylor & Francis] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2989/16085906.2025.2562859
• Vagiri, R., Mohlabe, K., Mailula, L., Nhubunga, F., Maepa, M., Mphasha, M., Mokoena, M., Mayimele, N., Bangalee, V., Grootboom, W., & Padayachee, N. 2025. Prevalence of anxiety and depression among pharmacy students at a University in South Africa: A cross-sectional survey. Acta Psychologica, 259,105323 [Elsevier]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105323
• Vagiri, R., Sukati, V., Mphasha, M. H., Mayimele, N., Bangalee, V., Grootboom, W. & Padayachee, N. (2025). Optometry Students’ Mental Health at a University in South Africa: Investigating the Links Between Anxiety, Depression, and Key Variables. Clinical Optometry, 17, 195–206. [Taylor & Francis]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTO.S523423
• Muzumbukilwa, T.W., Dieudonne, B.H., Manimani, R.G., Mushebenge, A.G., Vagiri, R. V. & Nlooto, M. 2025. Evaluation and Comparison of HIV/AIDS Indicators for Clinical Care Quality Assessment: Relevance and Utility Evaluated by Healthcare Professionals in Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of South Africa. Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice, 33(3):e1440. [Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/IPC.0000000000001440
• Maphanga, B., Matlala, M., Vagiri, R., Godman, B. & Makhele, L. 2025. The budget impact analysis of nicotine replacement therapy among patients who smoke tobacco and have mental illness in South Africa and the implications. BMC Health Services Research, 25, 417. [Springer Nature]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12533-y 
• Vagiri, R., Mohlabe, K., Mailula, L., Nhubunga, F., Maepa, M., Mphasha, M., Mokoena, M., Mayimele, N., Bangalee, V., Grootboom, W. & Padayachee, N. 2025. Exploring Anxiety and Depression Among Medical Undergraduates in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Healthcare, 13: 649. [MDPI]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13060649 
• Gudala, G. R., Padayachee, N. & Vagiri, R. V. 2025. Beyond antiretroviral treatment: Health-related quality of life of patients receiving antiretroviral treatment at a tertiary hospital in South Africa. Dialogues in Health, 100207. [Elsevier]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100207 
• Mphasha, M. & Vagiri, R. 2025. A Narrative Review of the Interplay between Carbohydrate Intake and Diabetes Medications: Unexplored Connections and Clinical Implications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 26, 624. [MDPI]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020624
• Muzumbukilwa, T. W., Manimani, R. G., Vagiri, R. V., Nlooto, M. Z., Bihehe, M. D. & Mushebenge, A. G. A. 2024. Developing HIV indicators for clinical care quality assessment: relevance and practicality evaluated by healthcare practitioners in South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo. BMJ Open Quality, 13(4). [BMJ]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2024-002857 
• Muzumbukilwa, T.W., Manimani, R., Mushebenge, A.G., Vagiri, R. V. & Nlooto, M. 2024. Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes Among Individuals on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. AIDS Research and Treatment, 8834740. [Wiley]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/arat/8834740. 
• Muzumbukilwa, T.W., Dieudonne, B.M., Manimani, R.G., Mushebenge, A.G., Vagiri, R. V. & Nlooto, M. 2024. Evaluating compliance with quality indicators of HIV and AIDS clinical care and analyzing those associated with mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo. BMC Infectious Diseases, 24, 1359. [Springer Nature]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-10253-y 
• Muzumbukilwa, T. W., Ghislain, M. R., Mushebenge, A. G. A., Vagiri, R. V. & Nlooto, M. 2024. Assessing the pertinence and usefulness of HIV and AIDS indicators for evaluating clinical care quality: Perspectives of health care professionals. African Journal of AIDS Research, 23(1–2). [Taylor & Francis]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2989/16085906.2024.2358758 
• Vagiri, R., Mphasha, M., Bangalee, V., Grootboom, W., Makhele, L. & Padayachee, N. 2024. Thriving beyond the stethoscope: Unveiling positive mental health among medical students at a University in South Africa. Dialogues in Health, 100188. [Elsevier]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dialog.2024.100188 
• Vagiri, RV., Leboho, P. E., Desry, L. K., Khutso, M. & Pfunzo, M. 2024. Investigation of positive mental health levels among faculty of health sciences students at a rural university in South Africa. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(7), e0002855. [PLOS]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002855
• Padayachee, N., Vagiri, R. & Bangalee, V. 2024. Clearing the blur: a microbial menace in focus–understanding bacterial conjunctivitis. SA Pharmaceutical Journal, 91(2), pp. 29–32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36303/SAPJ.0375 
• Muzumbukilwa, T.N., Ghislain, M.R., Pascal, E.M., Vagiri, R.V. & Nlooto, M. 2023. Development of a Fundamental Set of Quality Indicators for Evaluating HIV and AIDS Clinical Care: A Systematic Review. Universal Journal of Public Health, 11(6), pp. 901–920. [Horizon Research Publishing]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13189/ujph.2023.110615
• Gulla, S., Helberg, E. & Vagiri, R. 2023. Positive mental health level of patients at a tertiary psychiatric hospital, Gauteng Province, South Africa. South African Journal of Psychiatry, 29, 7. [AOSIS Publishing]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2016 
• Padayachee, N., Khan, N., Butkow, N., Indermun, S., Bangalee, V., Nuapia, Y. & Vagiri, R.V. 2023. “Is South Africa’s codeine abuse fuelled by private pharmacies? Investigation of over-the-counter codeine procurement patterns in Gauteng Province, South Africa.” African Journal for Physical Activity and Health Sciences (AJPHES), 29(3); pp. 240–251. [African Journals Online]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37597/ajphes.2023.29.3.1
• Padayachee, N., Matesun, D., Matlala, M. & Vagiri, R. 2023. Adverse drug reactions, a guide for dentists. South African Dental Journal, 78(1), pp. 43–49. [SADA]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/sadj.v78i01.15751 

Professional Affiliations:

• The South African Pharmacy Council
• Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa

Last Modified: Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:04:02 SAST