Dr Ahmed Mohammed, during an interview in his office. [Bernard Orwongo, Standard]
Kenya has attracted 13 new pharmaceutical manufacturers that are at various stages of establishment and operationalisation, strengthening the country’s efforts to expand local production of medicines and other health products.
The new manufacturers are Med Aditus, Kenya Biovax Institute, Biopharma Limited in Gatundu-Thika, Full Care Limited, Tanatis Global Limited, Crown Healthcare, Regal Pharmaceuticals with its new penicillin plant, Spora International, Recon Health, the KEMRI Production Facility, Zuventus Limited, Aviazure Limited and Galaxy Pharmaceuticals.
The companies are progressing through different stages of plant construction, equipment installation, quality-system development and regulatory readiness.
Their entry signals growing investor interest in Kenya’s pharmaceutical sector and its potential to serve both domestic and regional markets.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) is providing regulatory guidance and technical support to facilitate the establishment of the facilities while ensuring that locally manufactured health products meet the required standards of quality, safety and efficacy.
Amid onboarding of the manufacturers, PPB Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed Mohamed told The Standard that effective regulation is essential to building a competitive and trusted pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.