Health Ministry Cracks Down on Fake Pharmaceuticals

Kenya’s Ministry of Health has launched a major crackdown on counterfeit and unregistered medicines, with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale directing regulatory bodies to intensify enforcement nationwide. Duale has ordered joint operations involving the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and the National Police Service to target illegal chemists, unlicensed pharmacies, and distributors dealing in substandard pharmaceuticals.
As part of the crackdown, the Ministry is rolling out a new medical‑code system that will restrict drug dispensing to licensed pharmacists and ensure that only PPB‑approved medicines reach consumers Duale also announced the introduction of enhanced digital systems — including a national product catalogue, a track‑and‑trace system, and drug formularies — to improve oversight of the national supply chain and curb the spread of fake medicines.
In parallel, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board has launched a focused operation against falsified pharmaceutical products. Most recently, the board moved against a falsified batch of Avastin (Bevacizumab 100MG) injections, labeling the drug counterfeit and urging all healthcare workers and the public to report any suspicious product immediately. The PPB has also shut down numerous illegal outlets and seized significant quantities of unregistered drugs, citing violations of pharmacy law and public safety risks.
Healthcare stakeholders have largely welcomed the reforms, calling them long overdue in a sector plagued by substandard products and illicit pharmacies. But Duale and his team have made it clear: licensed professionals only, licensed drugs only — and violators face arrests, prosecutions, and closure of premises