Nairobi, March 24, 2025 – The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) convened a two-day workshop with county pharmacists to strengthen the regulation of health products and technologies across Kenya. The forum aims to build collaboration and formalize a framework for joint action through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Opening the workshop on behalf of CEO Dr F.M Siyoi, Dr. Dominic Kariuki, Deputy Director of Inspectorate and Enforcement at PPB, reaffirmed the board’s commitment to working with counties to enhance regulatory oversight. “We are keen to strengthen our partnership with county pharmacists to ensure health products are safe, effective, and accessible to all Kenyans,” he said.

Key focus areas include safe transport of pharmaceuticals, proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste, sourcing medicines from licensed practitioners, employing qualified personnel, reporting substandard products, and public education on regulated health products.

Dr. Kariuki noted that these efforts are essential to protect public health and uphold professional standards across the sector. The MoU to be signed at the close of the workshop will guide future collaboration and implementation of agreed priorities.

County pharmacists welcomed the initiative, citing improved capacity to regulate practices at the grassroots. The engagement signals a step forward in strengthening Kenya’s pharmaceutical regulatory systems and safeguarding the health of all Kenyans.

In attendance were Dr. Wilfred Ochieng, Director of Pharmacy Practice and Training; Dr. Christabel Kheamba, Deputy Director for Product Safety; division heads; regional heads; and county regulatory officers.