The Government has intensified its fight against substandard and falsified medical products following the inauguration of an Interministerial Steering Committee that will coordinate the implementation of Kenya’s National Action Plan aimed at protecting patients from unsafe medicines.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Wednesday launched the committee, terming counterfeit and substandard medicines a growing threat to public health, national health security and economic development.
The Interministerial Steering Committee (ISC) will serve as the apex body overseeing implementation of the National Action Plan, providing strategic leadership, policy direction and coordination among government agencies involved in regulation, law enforcement, border security and public health.
Duale said the widespread circulation of substandard and falsified medicines continues to cause treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance and preventable deaths, while undermining public confidence in the health system and threatening the rollout of Taifa Care and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“The fight against substandard and falsified medical products requires a whole-of-government approach,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
“Success will depend on stronger collaboration among regulators, law enforcement agencies, county governments, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, distributors, development partners and the public.”
The committee brings together institutions with complementary mandates to enhance coordination in preventing, detecting, investigating and responding to unsafe medical products. It will also address policy, legal, operational and regulatory gaps affecting enforcement.
Kenya has in recent years strengthened pharmaceutical regulation to improve medicine safety across the supply chain.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), the regulator handled 1,413 product quality complaints between 2021 and 2025, coordinated 99 product recalls, received 32,833 adverse drug reaction reports and issued 18 public alerts on suspected falsified medicines.
Since January 2025, the PPB has carried out 58 product recalls and issued 14 rapid alerts, reflecting increased surveillance and a more responsive regulatory system.
Government enforcement efforts have also intensified, leading to the closure of more than 200 non-compliant pharmaceutical outlets and the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in illegal medicine trade.
Duale reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other development partners to strengthen regulatory capacity, surveillance systems, intelligence sharing, digital traceability and enforcement mechanisms.
He said the measures aim to ensure all Kenyans access safe, quality, effective and affordable medicines while protecting the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The inauguration was attended by Council of Governors Vice Chairperson and Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, Council of Governors CEO Mary Mwiti, Pharmacy and Poisons Board Chairperson Dr. John Munyu, PPB CEO Dr. Ahmed Mohamed, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), IGAD, senior government officials and development partners.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
