By The Weekly Vision Team
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has dismissed reports alleging that it plans to block the importation of 21,000 medical products, which could trigger a shortage of medicines and a healthcare crisis.
In a statement, the Board described the claims as false, misleading, and intended to create unnecessary public alarm. “Contrary to these falsehoods, there is no blockade of medicines in Kenya. The Board has duly retained approximately 9,000 registered medical products that meet national and international standards for safety, efficacy, and quality. These products remain available for local manufacture, importation, and distribution,” it said.
PPB added that the approved products remain unaffected, assuring the public that there is no cause for concern regarding the availability of medicines. “The Board continues to work with local manufacturers, importers, and healthcare stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted access to essential and life-saving medicines for all Kenyans,” the statement read.
The regulator explained that, in line with global best regulatory practices, and as required under the Pharmacy and Poisons (Registration of Health Products and Technologies) Rules, 2022, all marketing authorisations are subject to renewal every five years. “The renewal process enables the Board to confirm that only products meeting current international standards of quality, efficacy, and safety remain on the Kenyan market,” it noted.
Following a series of stakeholder consultations, PPB advised all Marketing Authorisation Holders (owners of registered medical products) to renew their registrations by 31 December.
“Accordingly, the Board wishes to inform the public that its ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal importers and to remove unregistered, unauthorised, falsified, and substandard products from the market are facing resistance from a few unscrupulous individuals and cartels seeking to protect their vested interests. Despite the resistance, the Board remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the integrity of Kenya’s pharmaceutical sector and to protect the health and well-being of every Kenyan,” PPB said.
The Board urged the public, healthcare professionals, and the media to ignore misleading reports circulating online. “The official PPB communication channels remain the primary and credible source of regulatory information. The Board will continue to communicate transparently and work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure sustained access to safe, quality, and effective medical products for the people of Kenya.”
[/full]
