The Cabinet Secretary for Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced the full-scale digitalisation of pharmaceutical operations in the country, a reform aimed at curbing drug theft, counterfeit medicines, and regulatory loopholes.

Speaking on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, during the 45th Annual Scientific Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) in Mombasa, Duale said every patient interaction, prescription, and transaction will now be digitally recorded and tracked.

“Every patient interaction, prescription, and transaction will now be digitally recorded and tracked—significantly reducing opportunities for manipulation, theft, and the circulation of counterfeit medicines,” said the CS.

 He noted that the digital overhaul is part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to streamline healthcare services and improve accountability through the national digital superhighway.

Duale called on stakeholders and the public to support this ambitious shift, emphasising that digitisation will not only promote efficiency but also restore trust in the public health system.

“We need the full support of all players, especially community pharmacies, as we integrate healthcare into the national digital infrastructure,” he stated.

In addition to digitisation, the CS placed strong emphasis on strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing under the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative.

 He said the campaign—anchored on a Presidential Directive—was key to boosting the economy, reducing dependency on imports, and ensuring consistent drug availability.

“The Ministry remains committed to supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing. We want Kenyan firms to produce for Kenya, and eventually, for Africa,” Duale said.

He challenged PSK to help identify policy bottlenecks that hinder sector growth and urged pharmacists to play a more prominent role in unlocking Kenya’s pharmaceutical potential.

“We need your help to identify the regulatory hurdles and push for reforms. This is a partnership, and your expertise is critical in helping us shape a pharmacy benefit package under Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” the CS asserted.

Duale also reiterated Kenya’s push to help the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) achieve World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3—a benchmark for regulatory excellence—and align with global standards in the manufacturing and monitoring of health products.

Duale’s health reforms

Outlining the government’s next phase of policy reform, the CS laid out five major priorities to guide the pharmaceutical regulatory agenda. Chief among them is enhancing digital systems to implement a robust track-and-trace programme that will identify and remove substandard and falsified health products from the supply chain.

He also emphasised the integration of pharmacy services into UHC benefits, urging pharmacists to advocate for quality and accessibility.

 “We are counting on PSK to take an active role in protecting access and ensuring that quality is never compromised,” Duale said.

PSK President Louis Somoni Machogu welcomed the reforms and reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to advancing pharmaceutical excellence across the country.

“Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya is fully aligned with the Ministry’s vision. We are committed to transforming pharmaceutical care, promoting patient safety, and supporting the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill,” Machogu said.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, who hosted the event, applauded the national government’s focus on health innovation and called on counties to align their strategies with the national agenda.

“We in Mombasa fully support these reforms. Digitisation and local production are not just national imperatives—they are county priorities too,” the County boss said.

Also present at the conference were Director General for Health Patrick Amoth, PPB Chair Charles Githinji, and other senior ministry officials and health stakeholders.  

Duale underscored that the sweeping changes in pharmaceutical regulation are not just technical upgrades—they are opportunities to deepen public trust.

“These reforms are not just about systems and structures—they are about people. They are about restoring trust, delivering value, and building a healthcare system that works for every Kenyan,” he said.

He said as Kenya sets out on a new path, the partnership between government, industry, and professionals is expected to be the linchpin for sustainable transformation—one prescription, one innovation, and one regulation at a time.

𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐒 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐒𝐊 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐚

Every patient interaction, prescription, and transaction will now be digitally recorded and tracked significantly reducing… pic.twitter.com/RwdvrYGMim

— Ministry of Health (@MOH_Kenya) June 18, 2025