Local pharmaceutical manufacturers are calling on the government to streamline regulatory frameworks and foster a more supportive environment for domestic drug production, amid growing concern over the cost and availability of essential medicines.

Speaking during the centenary celebration of Kaluma a household health product with a century-long presence in Kenya industry yesterday, leaders emphasized the need for policy reforms to boost local manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on imports.

For years, Kenya has imported a significant portion of its pharmaceutical supplies, exposing the country to external price shocks and supply chain disruptions. But manufacturers argue that investing in local production would help stabilize supply, lower costs for consumers, and generate employment within the healthcare sector.

Vikas Khandelwal, Vice President of Shalina Healthcare East Africa, said local drug makers are capable of producing more essential medicines but face regulatory constraints and high costs tied to import-dependent systems.

“There’s a real opportunity to scale up local manufacturing and make treatment more affordable,” Khandelwal said. “But we need a supportive policy framework one that reduces red tape and incentivizes investment in local production.”

Industry players are also calling for a review of current pricing structures that make medicines unaffordable for low-income families. They warn that without urgent reforms, the country risks deepening inequalities in access to healthcare.

Shalina Healthcare CEO Clifford Shalina noted that while progress has been made in building the pharmaceutical sector, Kenya still lacks the infrastructure and policy incentives necessary to meet domestic demand sustainably.

“We’re still importing medicines that could easily be manufactured here,” she said. “This dependence not only increases costs but also limits access, especially in underserved communities.”

The Kaluma brand, which has served generations of Kenyan families, used its 100-year anniversary to spotlight these broader challenges and advocate for systemic change.

Calls for collaboration between the government and pharmaceutical industry come at a time when public hospitals are reporting medicine shortages and rising treatment costs are pushing healthcare further out of reach for many citizens.

“With the right government backing, Kenya can reduce import reliance, improve access to essential drugs, and ease the financial burden on patients,” said Clifford.