NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has raised concern over the growing circulation of counterfeit medicines and medical products in Kenya, warning that fake HIV testing kits, counterfeit Viagra and other substandard drugs are increasingly finding their way into the market, posing a serious threat to public health.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the rise in fake pharmaceuticals has exposed weaknesses in the country’s medicine supply chain, prompting the government to roll out stricter surveillance measures and a nationwide digital medicine tracking system.
According to Duale, the Digital Health Agency and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board successfully piloted the new “track and trace” system throughout June, with its official rollout scheduled for August 1.
The digital platform will monitor medicines from manufacturers and importers through wholesalers, distributors and pharmacies before they reach patients, allowing authorities to quickly identify counterfeit products and determine where they entered the supply chain.
Speaking on the initiative, Duale said every medicine dispensed in Kenya will eventually be integrated into the digital monitoring network.
“If a medicine does not meet safety, effectiveness and quality assurance standards, we will be able to trace it back to the pharmacist, distributor, wholesaler and manufacturer,” officials stated.
The Health CS said the move comes amid growing concern over fake drugs infiltrating licensed pharmacies, online platforms and informal markets, particularly sexual enhancement products and diagnostic kits.
Authorities warned that counterfeit Viagra tablets may contain dangerous ingredients, incorrect dosages or entirely different substances that could cause serious health complications, especially among people with underlying medical conditions.
Duale also expressed concern over fake HIV testing kits, cautioning that inaccurate or substandard products could produce false results, delay treatment, lead to misdiagnosis and contribute to further transmission of infections.
The government says the new digital tracking system is expected to strengthen oversight, improve accountability and significantly reduce the circulation of counterfeit medicines across Kenya.