By Ongaga Ongaga
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, has announced sweeping reforms to strengthen Kenya’s pharmaceutical sector during the 46th Annual Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya Conference in Mombasa.
Speaking at Pride Inn Paradise Hotel on Wednesday, Duale emphasised that pharmacists are central to achieving Universal Health Coverage and advancing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
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He noted that pharmacists are no longer confined to dispensing roles but are now researchers, innovators, regulators, educators and clinical partners in patient care.
The CS highlighted the Ministry’s focus on four pillars: Universal Health Coverage through Primary Health Care, local manufacturing of health products and technologies, digital health transformation, and health commodities security.
He stressed that pharmacists are indispensable in medication therapy management, pharmacovigilance, antimicrobial stewardship and pharmaceutical innovation.
Duale reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting professional standards and eliminating quackery, while strengthening regulatory institutions such as the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
He underscored the importance of attaining WHO Maturity Level 3 status, which would position Kenya as a pharmaceutical manufacturing and regulatory hub for Africa.
On antimicrobial resistance, Duale warned it remains one of the greatest threats to global health security, urging pharmacists to lead stewardship efforts to preserve the effectiveness of medicines.
He also launched the Health Products and Technologies Local Manufacturing Strategy, aimed at reducing import dependency, creating jobs and securing sustainable access to essential medicines.
Technology featured prominently in his address, with the CS announcing that effective 1st July 2026, three national digital platforms will be rolled out: the National Track and Trace System (NTTS), Practice360, and Facility360.
These platforms will enhance pharmaceutical governance, improve supply chain visibility, combat counterfeit medicines and ensure compliance with national health regulations.
“All pharmacists, pharmaceutical technologists, pharmacies, chemists, manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and healthcare facilities handling pharmaceutical products shall be required to register, integrate and maintain active compliance with these platforms,” Duale said, warning that non-compliance will attract regulatory action.
He further challenged universities to modernise pharmacy education, ensuring future pharmacists are clinically competent, digitally literate and innovation-driven.
Duale also highlighted pharmacists’ critical role in maternal and newborn health initiatives, stressing that no woman should lose her life due to lack of essential medicines.
Duale assured the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya of the Ministry’s partnership in strengthening regulation, combating antimicrobial resistance, accelerating local manufacturing, harnessing digital innovation and advancing universal access to quality healthcare.
He urged participants to produce actionable solutions to inform policy and implementation.
