Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has moved to clarify the new Good Pharmacy Practice Standards after protests by diploma-holding pharmacy professionals over fears that the rules could limit where they can work.
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 3, Duale said the 2026 standards do not stop diploma holders from practising in Kenya.
He said pharmacy professionals, whether trained at diploma or degree level, can continue working within the health system as long as they are properly registered, licensed and work within the scope allowed by law.
“The Standards do not bar any category of pharmacy professionals, whether diploma or degree holders, from practising or working at any level of the health system,” Duale said.
The clarification came after pharmaceutical technologists, through the Kenya Pharmaceutical Association (KPA), protested against parts of the proposed guidelines.
Their main concern is the new requirements on who can serve as a superintendent overseeing pharmacy services in health facilities.
The pharmaceutical technologists argue that the guidelines could lock diploma holders out of managing pharmacy services in Level 3 facilities, including health centres and comprehensive community clinics.
During the protests, they called for the guidelines to be withdrawn, arguing that the proposed rules could restrict pharmacy practice and affect access to pharmaceutical services.
However, Duale said there was a difference between working as a pharmacy professional and being appointed as a superintendent.
According to the CS, a superintendent is responsible for overseeing pharmacy services at a facility and ensuring that professional and regulatory requirements are followed.
He said the qualifications required for the role would depend on the type of services offered at a facility, as well as the complexity and level of risk involved.
Duale maintained that pharmacy professionals from different cadres would still continue working together across the health sector.
“The principal purpose of the Good Pharmacy Practice Standards is to protect the patient and assure the quality of pharmaceutical care,” the statement said.
The Health CS said the new standards are largely focused on patient safety and ensuring that pharmacy services are properly supervised, especially where specialised services are involved.
He also said the rules were meant to deal with illegal and unethical practices that put patients at risk. These include allegations of professionals renting out their licences and the inappropriate dispensing of antimicrobials, narcotic and psychotropic substances.
Duale further dismissed claims that the standards had been introduced suddenly, saying their development took more than five years.
According to him, the process went through 11 iterations and involved several consultations with stakeholders.
The clarification now comes as pharmaceutical technologists continue raising concerns over the superintendent requirements, particularly whether the standards could affect opportunities for diploma holders to take up certain management roles in pharmacy services.