Women across Kenya can now access long-term contraceptive protection more easily, following the rollout of DMPA-SC, a self-injectable contraceptive, into the private pharmacy sector. The launch, held at Pullman Hotel in Nairobi, marks a big shift in how reproductive health services are delivered.
Edward Serem from the Ministry of Health said this is an important step in giving women more options and control over their health.
He noted that while DMPA-SC has been available in public health facilities, expanding it to private pharmacies makes access faster, easier, and more private.
The injection, which offers protection for three months, can now be administered in approved pharmacies by trained professionals.
“We are bringing services closer to the people. Women can now walk into a pharmacy, talk to a pharmacist or technician, and receive the injection safely without having to queue at hospitals,” said Serem. He added that the ministry has developed training programs to ensure pharmacy staff are properly prepared to offer this service.
Cletus Otieno, representing the Kenya Pharmaceutical Association (KPA), said the rollout highlights how the role of pharmacists is evolving.
He explained that KPA has been helping members transition from simply dispensing medicine to playing a more active role in direct patient care. “We are guiding our members to move from point of sale to point of care,” he said.
Otieno said KPA has developed several tools to support its members, including ethics guidelines, self-regulation documents, and a family planning champion program that helps experienced members mentor others.
He also mentioned that the association was deeply involved in pushing for policy changes that allowed DMPA-SC to be offered through pharmacies.
Looking ahead, KPA is exploring how pharmacists might offer additional services like contraceptive implants, pending further research and policy support.
Newton Siele, CEO of Phillips Therapeutics Kenya the company supplying the product said they have partnered with well-known pharmacy chains like Pharmaplus, Goodlife, and Karacare to make sure the injection is widely available. “We want women to feel confident walking into a pharmacy near them and getting safe, trusted care,” he said.
He also addressed concerns about counterfeit drugs, especially in light of the rising number of unregulated pills in the market.
Siele urged the public to make sure they are visiting licensed pharmacies staffed by registered professionals. “You have the right to ask and to feel safe where you’re getting your healthcare,” he said.
In the background, community pharmacies across Kenya are also being trained and supported to deliver family planning services.
These local pharmacies are not only providing DMPA-SC but also helping ease pressure on public hospitals. In counties like Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nairobi, pharmacies are being equipped with basic tools like blood pressure monitors and trained on proper record keeping and referrals.
Regular check-ins by project officers ensure quality remains high and that women receive proper care every time they visit.
With donor funding for reproductive health on the decline, this model is helping fill the gap by building a more sustainable, locally driven solution.
The launch is part of a wider national rollout expected to expand over the next five years. Partners like PSI-Kenya are working together to raise awareness and ensure that more women, especially in underserved areas, have access to reliable and safe family planning options.