Nairobi, Kenya – 1 July 2026 – Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) Chairperson Dr. John M. Munyu, MBS, has called for stronger multi-sectoral collaboration to combat the growing threat of substandard and falsified medical products, saying coordinated action is essential to protect public health and strengthen confidence in Kenya’s healthcare system.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Interministerial Steering Committee (ISC) for the implementation of Kenya’s National Action Plan on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, presided over by Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale, Dr. Munyu said the Committee marks a significant step towards a coordinated national response to safeguard patients, strengthen regulatory oversight and secure the integrity of Kenya’s pharmaceutical supply chain.

He noted that over the past eight months, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board has implemented far-reaching regulatory reforms to strengthen the country’s health products regulatory system. These include the mandatory re-registration of legacy medical products, enhanced surveillance at ports of entry, strengthened risk-based inspections and enforcement across the supply chain, and expanded post-market surveillance and pharmacovigilance systems to improve early detection and response.

Dr. Munyu observed that despite these gains, substandard and falsified medical products continue to exploit weaknesses across supply chains, international trade, border control, law enforcement, digital commerce and transnational criminal networks, making collaboration among government institutions and partners indispensable.

He said the National Action Plan provides a framework for a coordinated whole-of-government approach that brings together all relevant institutions to strengthen the prevention, detection and response to substandard and falsified medical products. He urged stakeholders to actively contribute to developing a practical, effective and nationally owned Action Plan that will reinforce Kenya’s regulatory systems and protect the health of all Kenyans.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to tackling substandard and falsified medical products, describing them as a serious threat to patient safety, health security and economic development. He emphasized that addressing the challenge requires close collaboration among regulators, law enforcement agencies, border control authorities, county governments, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, distributors, development partners and the public.

The meeting was attended by Council of Governors Vice Chairperson and Governor of Tharaka Nithi County H.E. Muthomi Njuki, Council of Governors Chief Executive Officer Ms. Mary Mwiti, Pharmacy and Poisons Board Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ahmed I. Mohamed, representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), IGAD, senior government officials, development partners and other stakeholders committed to protecting the integrity of Kenya’s pharmaceutical supply chain.

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