Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale Speaking on Wednesday November 26, 2025 during a visit to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) offices in Nairobi. Photo by KNA 
By KNA
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has directed the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) to intensify a nationwide crackdown on counterfeit, falsified, and substandard medicines, warning that the government will not allow criminal networks to compromise the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
During a visit to the institution on Wednesday — the first by any Health Minister since the Board’s establishment in 1957 — Duale ordered the regulator to adopt a more coordinated, technology-driven, and uncompromising enforcement strategy.
Duale said Kenya’s pharmaceutical sector faces increasing threats from weak enforcement, unlicensed wholesalers, and illegal online drug sales, insisting that perpetrators must face the full force of the law.
“You must immediately rid the Kenyan market of all substandard, falsified, poor-quality and unregistered medicines. This is not optional,” he said. “Any pharmacy selling counterfeit drugs must be shut down, and action taken against those responsible, including directors.”
The CS directed the PPB to work closely with law enforcement agencies, county governments, and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to strengthen inspections at all points of entry and across retail outlets, and to ensure swift prosecution of offenders.
He stressed that enforcement must be consistent, thorough, and insulated from interference to safeguard the credibility of Kenya’s pharmaceutical regulatory system.
Duale emphasised the urgent need to modernise the Board’s surveillance systems, instructing it to integrate all regulatory functions into the national Digital Health Superhighway overseen by the Digital Health Agency.
He said full digitisation would allow the government to track medicines from manufacturers to consumers, improve adverse drug reaction reporting, and enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni underscored the public health dangers posed by substandard medicines and misuse of antibiotics.
“Safe regulation of medicines is essential to prevent avoidable diseases, disability, and even death,” she said.
She added that regulatory gaps, poor reporting mechanisms, and lax enforcement continue to threaten lives, noting that absenteeism and laxity within the Ministry of Health will no longer be tolerated.
The PS pledged the ministry’s support for time-bound reforms, including digitisation, staff training, and deeper collaboration with counties and security agencies.
PPB Board Chair Dr. John Munyu hailed the CS’s visit as historic and pledged full cooperation in implementing reforms.
“I can confirm you are the first minister ever to visit this regulatory authority since 1957,” Dr. Munyu said. “Your passion for reforms is evident, and our teams are committed to delivering quality and efficient services to Kenyans.”
He noted that the Board has already intensified internal reforms, including heightened market surveillance, action against illegal operators, and expanded use of digital tools for product traceability and adverse drug reaction reporting.
PPB CEO Dr. Ahmed Mohamed briefed Duale on the Board’s national footprint — comprising 10 regional offices and 11 gazetted ports of entry — and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regulation of pharmaceutical practice and trade.
Duale reiterated that Kenya aims to achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level Three (ML3) regulatory status by March–April next year, a directive issued by President William Ruto.
He said reaching ML3 will attract investment, boost local manufacturing, and enhance Kenya’s global credibility as a pharmaceutical hub.
The CS further announced plans to fill staffing gaps at the PPB, including fast-tracking the hiring of 45 officers under the World Bank-funded Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Project.
He also directed the Board to crack down on illegal parallel imports, ensure timely renewal of product registrations, and enforce bioequivalence standards without exception.
Duale called for fairness and professionalism within the Board, saying staff must be recognised and promoted based on merit.
“There should be no animal farm in this institution. Those who work hard must be rewarded, and every Kenyan here deserves to work with dignity,” he said.
He urged the PPB to fully execute digitisation, public education, and rigorous enforcement initiatives, noting that these actions are essential to strengthening the quality, safety, and trust of Kenya’s healthcare system and advancing the country’s universal health coverage agenda.
