Kenya has adopted a multi-sectoral plan to slow down the production and supply of substandard and falsified medical products, an escalating threat to the country.
The development was announced at the launch of the Interministerial Steering Committee (ISC) entrusted with monitoring the execution of Kenya’s National Action Plan on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products.
Presiding over the session, Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale recognized the meeting as an occasion where major government departments and partners collaborated on a strategic plan to prevent, detect, and respond to unsafe medical products.
Pharmacy and Poisons Board Chairperson John M. Munyu thought it would be good if government agencies and stakeholders joined hands in their fight against substandard and falsified medicines. Per him, such a fight demands joint action.
Dr. Munyu described the program as one of the primary moments of a national partnership that will be strong and directed at shielding individuals, increasing health system trust by the public, and safeguarding healthcare’s future in Kenya.
He referred to the regulatory reforms that the Pharmacy and Poisons Board has been doing for the last eight months, which cover, among other things, compulsory re-registration of present medical products, heightened monitoring at the ports of entry, well-performed risk, based inspections throughout the supply chain, and thorough post, market surveillance and pharmacovigilance systems.
Explaining further, Dr. Munyu stated that although Kenya’s regulatory setup has been strengthened, substandard and falsified medical products remain a problem as they’re able to exploit weak links in supply chains, international trade, border controls, the digital commerce, and are aided by criminal networks.
He said that without the support of the entire government regulators law enforcement agencies, county governments, healthcare professionals manufacturers distributors, development partners, and the public, the problem can’t be effectively solved by just one institution.
CS Duale observed that counterfeit and low quality medical products are still a threat to patient safety, health security, and the economic development.
He said that to protect Kenya’s pharmaceutical supply chain and ensure patients’ access to safe and effective medical products, there’s a need for the government agencies and stakeholders to unite.
According to Dr Munyu, the National Action Plan is an opportunity to create a shared platform that unites the relevant institutions under the joint vision for the prevention, detection and response to substandard and falsified medical products.
He incited stakeholders to work on a plan of action, which isn’t only realistic but also nationally owned. Such a plan must be capable of enhancing the regulation and protecting the health of Kenyans.