The Ministry of Health is set to launch a new national medical code next week in a bid to streamline the distribution and sale of medicines in Kenya and eliminate the widespread circulation of counterfeit drugs.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, while on a working tour of Kisumu County, made the announcement as he officially commissioned new CT scan and mammogram machines at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). The equipment was provided under the National Equipment Service Program.

Duale revealed that the new code will introduce stringent regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry and will significantly change how medicine is accessed, stored, and sold across the country.

“We are introducing medicine codes into our system. If you’re not a pharmacist, you will not dispense drugs. Only medicines approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board will reach Kenyans,” the CS declared.

Key Objectives of the New Medical Code

The new medical code is part of a broader effort by the government to improve health care regulation, protect consumers, and align Kenya with international drug safety standards.

The key objectives include:

• Curbing the sale of counterfeit and substandard drugs
• Restricting drug dispensing to licensed pharmacists only
• Ensuring only PPB-approved medicines are distributed
• Tracking and verifying drugs through coded regulation

Duale said the Ministry was prepared for resistance from vested interests, particularly from unqualified individuals who have long operated informal or illegal chemists and drug outlets.

“Noise is Expected, But We Are Ready” – Duale

Acknowledging potential opposition to the new policy, the CS likened the move to the controversial yet ultimately successful reforms implemented in Kenya’s transport sector by the late Transport Minister John Michuki.

“I know there will be another noise next week, which I am equally ready for. So let’s buckle up,” Duale stated.

He stressed that reforms must be people-focused and driven by public health outcomes—not by business or political pressure.

Reinforcing the Role of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB)

A major pillar of the reform involves strengthening the oversight role of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), Kenya’s primary drug regulatory authority. The PPB will be responsible for:

• Approving all drugs before market release
• Auditing licensed pharmacies and chemists
• Enforcing penalties against non-compliance
• Providing digital codes for drug authentication

This move will effectively lock out unlicensed medicine sellers, ensuring that Kenyans only access medications that are both safe and effective.

Pillscan Technology: Building on Existing Digital Efforts

The announcement comes just months after the PPB launched Pillscan, an advanced Near-Infrared Technology (NIR) system aimed at detecting counterfeit and substandard medicines.

Pillscan was rolled out in December 2024 in collaboration with Missions for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) and Global Health Labs USA, with funding from the Global Fund.

The initiative introduced a handheld device that enables real-time scanning and authentication of drug compounds, especially at the point of sale. It also includes:

• Personnel retraining in digital drug detection
• Qualification of equipment used in pharmacies
• Creation of a central pharmaceutical library for medicine tracking

The introduction of Pillscan is viewed as a complementary initiative that will work alongside the upcoming medical code to provide a multi-layered defense against fake drugs.

Counterfeit Drugs: A Persistent Public Health Threat

According to reports by the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 10% of medical products circulating in low- and middle-income countries are substandard or falsified. Kenya has not been immune to this crisis.

Poor regulation, weak enforcement, and corruption have allowed counterfeit drugs—including fake antibiotics, painkillers, and even cancer medications—to flood the market. These products not only fail to treat illnesses but also increase resistance to treatment, especially in the case of antimicrobial drugs.

Health experts have repeatedly warned that unless the country takes urgent steps to tighten pharmaceutical controls, public trust in the health system could erode further.

What the New Medical Code Means for Kenyans

Once rolled out, the new medical code will bring several significant changes to the everyday Kenyan’s experience when purchasing medicine:

• Pharmacies will be required to display licenses
• Every drug will be traceable through a digital code
• Only certified pharmacists can prescribe and dispense drugs
• Patients can verify the authenticity of drugs using mobile apps or codes

The Ministry also plans to launch public awareness campaigns to educate Kenyans on how to identify licensed pharmacies and verify medicine authenticity.

Reactions from the Medical Community

While official reactions from pharmacists’ associations and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) are still pending, early reports suggest broad support from professional bodies.

One Kisumu-based pharmacist said the initiative was “long overdue”:

“We have watched untrained people open chemists next to bus stops and sell antibiotics over the counter without prescriptions. This puts lives at risk. It’s time we cleaned up the industry.”

Implementation Timeline and Next Steps

The Ministry of Health plans to publish the full code in the Kenya Gazette in the coming days, with implementation expected to begin next week.

The rollout will be phased, starting with major towns and referral hospitals, followed by nationwide enforcement in collaboration with county health departments and local law enforcement.

Conclusion

The introduction of a national medical code marks a major milestone in Kenya’s efforts to strengthen its pharmaceutical regulatory framework. Backed by advanced technology like Pillscan and tighter licensing laws, the code is expected to not only protect public health but also restore confidence in the country’s health system.

As Kenya moves to eliminate counterfeit drugs and rogue pharmacies, all eyes will be on how efficiently the government can enforce this critical reform—and whether the public will respond with compliance or resistance.