Kenya’s healthcare landscape is set for a major transformation as the government prioritizes digitization and local pharmaceutical manufacturing to enhance service delivery, accountability, and patient safety. These commitments were reaffirmed during the 45th Annual Scientific Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) held in Mombasa, where key health sector leaders outlined their vision for reform.
A cornerstone of the new strategy is the complete digitalization of the pharmaceutical value chain. All patient interactions, prescriptions, and transactions will now be electronically recorded and tracked. This move is designed to clamp down on theft, prevent manipulation, and curb the circulation of counterfeit medicines problems that have long undermined public confidence in the health system.
Alongside digitization, strengthening domestic pharmaceutical production is emerging as a key policy priority. The government is advancing the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative, aligning it with a Presidential Directive that promotes innovation, job creation, and local investment. With proper support, local manufacturers can provide affordable, quality medicines and reduce over-reliance on imports.
The government is also working to bring community pharmacies into the national digital infrastructure. This integration aims to improve access to real-time data, enhance pharmaceutical care, and facilitate better decision-making across the public and private health sectors.
Five policy pillars will guide the next phase of regulatory reform: digitization, quality assurance, integration into Universal Health Coverage (UHC), alignment with international standards, and innovation. At the heart of these reforms is a robust track-and-trace system to ensure transparency and eliminate substandard and falsified medical products.
The government has called on the PSK to play an active role in identifying regulatory bottlenecks, supporting the implementation of reforms, and shaping Kenya’s pharmacy benefit package under UHC. The Society’s technical expertise and wide reach among professionals position it well to lead efforts in transforming pharmaceutical care across the country.
In response, PSK leadership expressed strong support for the reform agenda, reaffirming their commitment to advancing good pharmacy practice and contributing to national health goals. They also pledged support for pending legislation, such as the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, which aims to solidify quality standards across the health system.
The gathering brought together key stakeholders including county officials, national regulatory authorities, and professional leaders. Their presence signified a shared commitment to collaboration, trust-building, and aligning Kenya’s pharmaceutical systems with global best practices.
These reforms, if fully implemented, are expected to improve health outcomes, build a more efficient supply chain, and foster a health sector anchored in trust, technology, and self-reliance.
