Kenya pushes local drug manufacturing in drive for UHC, health security
Duale reaffirmed government support for the sector, saying local manufacturing would not only transform healthcare delivery but also power job creation under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Kenya is intensifying efforts to grow local pharmaceutical manufacturing as part of plans to cut costs, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s march toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Monday met with the Federation of Kenya Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, led by its chairperson Dr. Vimal Patel of Cosmos Limited, to advance discussions on scaling up local drug production.
The meeting followed President William Ruto’s 2023 directive that at least half of the medicines on the Kenya Essential Medicines List be produced locally by 2026.
The plan is expected to guarantee the country’s independence in essential health commodities, boost the economy, and support the Taifa Care model.
Talks centered on the Kenya Local Manufacturing Strategy 2025–2030, which aims to expand production capacity and enhance health security.
Duale reaffirmed government support for the sector, saying local manufacturing would not only transform healthcare delivery but also power job creation under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
He added that the ministry is introducing digital-based systems to track counterfeit medicines.
"The ministry is also introducing digital track-and-trace systems, including serialization and blockchain technology, to curb counterfeit medicines and ensure drug authenticity," said Duale.
The CS was joined by Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, and senior ministry officials.
