Pharmacy Board dismisses claims of drug import ban

Reports circulating on social media alleging that the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) plans to block the importation of more than 21,000 medical products are false and meant to cause “unwarranted public anxiety”, the body said on Sunday.

PPB, the national medicine regulator, said there is no blockade of medicines in Kenya.

“The claim that Kenya is on the brink of a medicines crisis is false, misleading, and intended to cause unwarranted public anxiety,” it said in a statement, adding that Kenya still has access to thousands of approved medical products.

According to PPB, about 9,000 registered medical products that comply with quality, safety, and efficacy standards remain available for manufacture, importation, and distribution in the country.

“These products are not affected in any way, and therefore, there is no cause for concern regarding medicine shortages,” said the board.

“The Board continues to work closely with all local manufacturers, importers, and healthcare stakeholders to ensure continuous access to essential and life-saving medicines for all Kenyans.”

It said all marketing authorizations are subject to renewal every five years, which ensures that only products that meet updated global standards remain in circulation.

“This renewal process is a routine regulatory measure, not a ban or restriction on medicines,” the statement read.

The regulator reported that its ongoing campaign to eliminate unregistered, falsified, and substandard products has faced pushback from “a few unscrupulous individuals and cartels” seeking to protect their interests.

Market authorisation holders have until December 31 to renew their product registrations.