GICHUGU, Kenya – Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has warned Kenyans against the growing habit of self-medication, saying the unchecked use of over-the-counter drugs is putting lives at risk and worsening the country’s disease burden.
Speaking on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at ACK Gichonjo Church in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, Muthoni cautioned that buying and using medicines without professional guidance can lead to serious health complications.
“People should stop prescribing drugs for themselves. Any medicine bought from a chemist must be recommended by a qualified health professional after proper examination and laboratory tests,” she said.
The PS noted that drug misuse is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance, a growing global health threat that makes infections harder — and sometimes impossible — to treat.
“When you misuse medicine today, it may fail to work tomorrow when you are seriously ill. That is how antimicrobial resistance develops,” Muthoni warned.
She further linked self-medication to delayed diagnosis of life-threatening illnesses, including cancer, saying many patients seek medical help only when their condition has already worsened.
“Self-medication discourages people from going for screening and testing. This is why we are seeing many cancer cases being discovered when it is already too late,” she said.
Muthoni stressed that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to reduce deaths from non-communicable diseases, urging Kenyans to prioritise routine medical screening.
“Regular and continuous screening saves lives. Diseases like cancer can be treated successfully if detected early,” she added.
The PS also encouraged Kenyans to enrol in and consistently contribute to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), saying health insurance plays a critical role in enabling timely access to quality healthcare without causing financial distress.
Her remarks come barely a week after she raised alarm over the misuse and illegal sale of the so-called “blue pill”, warning that unsupervised use of the drug poses serious health risks.
On December 22, 2025, Muthoni said the medicine — medically known as sildenafil — is strictly prescription-only and should not be sold over the counter.
She explained that sildenafil is approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension, and must only be used under medical supervision.
“When taken with other medicines, especially nitrates or certain blood pressure and heart drugs, it can cause dangerous interactions and increase the risk of life-threatening events such as heart attack and stroke,” the PS cautioned.
