NAIROBI: The multi-billion-shilling pharmaceutical industry in the country is facing major realignment. This follows a Government proposal to allow the parallel importation of cheaper medicines.
The industry’s regulatory agency, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), has proposed a framework that would see international pharmaceutical firms bring in cheaper versions of medicines. The guidelines, which are expected to be enforced in the next few months after stakeholder engagements, are already generating considerable controversy, with realignments in the pharmaceutical industry starting to be seen.
The local sector is currently dominated by licensed agents of large international pharmaceutical firms, which have been criticised for focusing on profits at the expense of the health of the majority of Kenyans who cannot afford their products. Local pharmaceutical manufacturers are also expected to face stiff competition from the cheaper imports, which would force them to review their prices and increase efficiency to stay afloat.
