The Ministry of Health has announced an initiative aimed at curbing the extensive importation of pharmaceutical products into the country.

The government’s decision comes in the wake of concerns over the substantial annual expenditure of Sh550 billion on imported pharmaceuticals, despite the presence of local manufacturers prequalified by the World Health Organization for producing high-quality products.

“As a country, we import most of our products, more than 90 per cent of health products that are used in this country are imported yet on the other hand we can have the products manufactured here,” expressed Health CS Susan Nakhumicha during the 14th Kemri Annual Scientific and Health Conference.

Nakhumicha stressed the need to prioritize local production, highlighting the importation of seemingly basic products such as paracetamol tablets and water for injection, which could be manufactured domestically.

“We do not know when the next pandemic is going to happen and we cannot wait for a pandemic but we want to ensure that we manufacture locally to take care of our citizens,” she emphasized.

The Ministry has directed the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority to primarily source products from local producers, with imports being considered only for items not locally manufactured. This move aims to dispel misconceptions about the quality of locally made products and reduce the time lag in accessing essential medical supplies.