NAIROBI, Kenya – The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has dismissed viral reports alleging plans to block over 21,000 medical products from entering Kenya, terming the claims false and alarmist.
In a statement released on Sunday, October 5, the regulator said the misinformation was being circulated by individuals seeking to cause public panic.
“The Board has noted with concern a misleading statement alleging that PPB intends to block over 21,000 medical products, supposedly placing the country on the brink of a medicines crisis. This claim is false, misleading, and intended to cause unwarranted public anxiety,” read the statement.
PPB assured Kenyans that the country’s medical supply chain remains stable, adding that approximately 9,000 registered medical products continue to meet both national and international safety and efficacy standards.
“Contrary to these falsehoods, there is no blockade of medicines in Kenya,” the Board clarified, emphasizing that authorized products remain available for local manufacture, importation, and distribution.
The agency further explained that its product renewal process, which triggered the online speculation, is a routine regulatory requirement guided by the Pharmacy and Poisons (Registration of Health Products and Technologies) Rules, 2022.
All marketing authorizations, it said, are subject to renewal every five years to ensure compliance with current international quality standards.
“This renewal process is not a ban or restriction,” PPB stated, urging all Market Authorization Holders to renew their registrations before December 31, 2025.
PPB also accused “unscrupulous individuals and cartels” of spreading the rumours to frustrate ongoing regulatory reforms aimed at eliminating illegal importers and substandard medical products.
“Our efforts to clean the pharmaceutical sector are facing resistance from those protecting vested interests,” the Board said.
The clarification comes amid heightened concerns over medicine safety and counterfeit products in Kenya’s pharmaceutical market.
Last week, PPB also moved to reassure expectant mothers of the safety of paracetamol use during pregnancy, noting that no local cases have linked the drug to developmental disorders in children.
PPB’s renewed stance underscores the government’s bid to restore public confidence in Kenya’s healthcare regulation while reinforcing its commitment to ensuring continuous access to safe, effective, and affordable medicines.
