Kenya positions itself as regional pharmaceutical production hub
Kenya is expanding its domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing sector with 13 new facilities currently under construction. The initiative aims to reduce the country's 70-80% reliance on imported medicines and improve national health security.
Why it matters
Increasing local production capacity is a strategic move for African nations to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities and lower healthcare costs.
Kenya is targeting greater self-reliance in medicines as 13 pharmaceutical manufacturers advance plans to establish production facilities, supporting health security and reducing import dependence.
According to a statement by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, the investments are expected to expand the domestic supply of medicines and other health products, create skilled employment and position Kenya to serve the wider regional market.
The 13 new manufacturers include: Med Aditus, Kenya Biovax Institute, Biopharma Limited in Gatundu-Thika, Full Care Limited, Tanatis Global Limited, Crown Healthcare, Regal Pharmaceuticals through its new penicillin plant, Spora International, Recon Health, the KEMRI Production Facility, Zuventus Limited, Aviazure Limited and Galaxy Pharmaceuticals.
These companies are at various stages of plant construction, equipment installation, quality-system development and regulatory preparation.
Their establishment comes amid Government efforts to manufacture at least 50 per cent of essential health products locally.
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