Kenya is intensifying its efforts to boost local pharmaceutical and health product manufacturing with a comprehensive approach that includes robust policy reforms, infrastructural investments, and strategic partnerships. This initiative aims to enhance national self-reliance, lower healthcare costs, and accelerate the progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
In a recent meeting with the Federation of Kenya Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (FKPM), led by Dr. Vimal Patel, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, discussed strategies to expand local drug production. This engagement was a follow-up to the Presidential directive from October 2023, which set a target for Kenya to locally produce at least 50% of the medicines listed on the Kenya Essential Medicines List (KEML) by 2026. The move is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring national health sustainability and strengthening the Taifa Care Model, which focuses on improving access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
Central to this initiative is the Kenya Local Manufacturing Strategy 2025–2030, designed to scale up production and guide the country towards full self-reliance in Health Products and Technologies (HPTs). This long-term strategy is expected to not only reduce the dependency on imported medicines but also support local industries, create jobs, and contribute to the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
In line with the reforms, the Ministry of Health is rolling out innovative digital solutions, including serialization and blockchain technology, to address the growing threat of counterfeit medicines. These technologies will ensure the authenticity of medicines from production to point of care, providing further assurance to consumers about the safety and quality of pharmaceutical products.
The government’s commitment to supporting local manufacturers was reiterated during the talks, with Hon. Duale emphasizing that this initiative is a significant driver of health system transformation. The overarching goal is to foster a healthcare environment that prioritizes local production, job creation, and long-term sustainability. This ambitious strategy is poised to make significant strides in realizing the vision of Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans, while also positioning Kenya as a leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa.
