Nairobi , Kenya – October 24, 2024 – Kenya has officially launched the Kenya Surveillance System for Antimicrobial Consumption (KESAC), a national initiative aimed at monitoring antimicrobial use to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Led by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, KESAC will track antimicrobial consumption across the entire pharmaceutical supply chain. During the virtual launch, Dr. F.M. Siyoi, CEO of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, represented by Dr. Anthony Toroitich, Director of Corporate Services, emphasized the urgency of addressing AMR, warning that unchecked resistance could reverse decades of medical progress. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the system’s success.

KESAC will fill a long-standing gap in national antimicrobial monitoring, providing data on consumption trends from importers to healthcare facilities. This data will guide interventions aimed at reducing irrational antimicrobial use, protecting public health, and strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system. Dr. Siyoi called on all stakeholders, from healthcare professionals to pharmacists, to embrace KESAC and join the fight against AMR.

The launch is the result of collective efforts by the Ministry of Health, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, USAID-MTaPS, and other key partners. Dr. Siyoi expressed gratitude for their commitment to making KESAC a reality.