NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto says Kenya has secured a major breakthrough in access to cancer treatment after signing an agreement with US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer that he says will dramatically reduce the cost of medicines for several types of cancer.
Ruto said the agreement between Pfizer and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) will reduce the prices of selected cancer medicines by more than seven times.
The President made the remarks after receiving Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla at State House, Nairobi.
According to Ruto, the agreement covers medicines used in the treatment of breast, stomach, colon, lung, prostate, oesophageal, leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma cancers.
Cancer drug prices to fall
Ruto said some cancer medicines that previously cost as much as Sh1 million per treatment cycle will now be available for less than Sh50,000 per cycle under the arrangement.
“This is a major breakthrough in the treatment of several cancers,” Ruto said.
The President said the reduction would significantly improve access to cancer treatment for Kenyan patients and ease the financial burden associated with cancer care.
He added that the agreement, known as the Accord for a Healthier World, would make the KSh800,000 Social Health Authority (SHA) cancer package fully adequate without requiring patients to make additional payments.
The claim represents a substantial reduction in treatment costs if the stated prices are achieved across the covered medicines.
Pfizer agreement to expand access to newer medicines
Ruto also said the agreement would allow Kenya to access newer cancer medicines without the lengthy delays that patients in developing countries can face.
According to the President, Kenyan patients have traditionally been subjected to a wait of up to 10 years before newer cancer treatments become available.
The new arrangement, he said, will shorten that gap and give Kenyan patients access to more advanced treatment options.
The development could be particularly significant as Kenya continues to strengthen its cancer treatment capacity and expand healthcare coverage through SHA.
Local pharmaceutical manufacturing
The agreement also has a local manufacturing component, according to Ruto.
As the African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing of Medical Commodities, the President said he welcomed Pfizer’s decision to make relevant technologies and newer medicines available for pharmaceutical production in Africa.
He said the partnership could contribute to the development of local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity on the continent.
Greater local production could eventually reduce dependence on imported medicines while strengthening supply chains for essential treatments.
Pfizer CEO visits State House
Ruto received Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla at State House in Nairobi during the engagement.
The Pfizer delegation was accompanied by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, US Embassy Nairobi Charge d’Affaires Susan M. Burns, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and other Pfizer officials.
Ruto thanked Pfizer for what he described as the company’s work and impact in Kenya.
He said the government would continue working with the pharmaceutical company as it pursues its Universal Health Coverage agenda.
