NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Health has raised alarm over the rising abuse of the so-called “blue pill” in Kenya, warning that misuse of prescription sexual enhancement drugs is fast becoming a public health crisis.
Speaking after a Citizen TV exposé revealed how sildenafil is being sold openly in chemists without prescriptions, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni said the trend reflects a worrying culture of shortcuts and risk-taking.
“Nobody wants honest work anymore. People want quick fixes, even when it comes to their health,” the PS said, cautioning that abuse of prescription medicines is driven by misinformation, peer pressure, and weak enforcement.
The “blue pill,” medically used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension, is legally classified as a prescription-only drug.
Health experts warn that when taken without medical supervision — or combined with alcohol, narcotics, or heart medication — it can trigger severe side effects including low blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, and sudden death.
Following the exposé, the Ministry said it has intensified regulatory action in collaboration with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). Measures include closer monitoring of wholesalers, audits of pharmacies, and tracking prescription records to identify rogue outlets dispensing controlled drugs illegally.
“We are dealing with a broken system where profit is being prioritised over patient safety,” the PS said, adding that enforcement action will be taken against pharmacies and individuals found violating the law.
Medical professionals have echoed the warning, noting that cases of sudden cardiac arrest linked to sexual performance drugs are on the rise, though many go unreported. Cardiologists insist sildenafil should only be prescribed after proper medical evaluation, especially for men with underlying heart conditions, diabetes, or hypertension.
The Ministry also announced plans to step up public awareness campaigns to educate Kenyans on the dangers of self-medication and the importance of seeking professional medical advice.
“We are urging Kenyans to stop gambling with their lives. There is no pill worth dying for,” the PS said.
Authorities have called on the public to report chemists selling prescription-only medicines over the counter, as the government moves to clamp down on what it describes as a silent but deadly menace.
