By Valentine Mumbi
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has announced plans to fully digitize Kenya’s pharmaceutical sector, highlighting the move as essential to improving patient safety, eliminating counterfeit drugs, and enhancing regulatory oversight.
The announcement was made during the 45th Annual Scientific Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK), held in Mombasa.
The PSK Conference brings together pharmacists, policymakers, and health professionals from across the country to discuss developments in the pharmaceutical field.
This year’s theme, “Harnessing Digital Health for a Resilient Pharmaceutical Sector,” focused on the growing role of technology in healthcare.
Duale urged pharmacists to support the government’s Digital Health Superhighway, which includes e-prescriptions, electronic drug dispensing, real-time drug tracking, and integrating community pharmacies into the national health system.
“We are phasing out paper records completely. Every prescription and transaction will be digitally recorded and tracked,” Duale stated.
He warned that counterfeit drugs, often sold in unregulated pharmacies, pose a serious threat to public health.
He commended Mombasa County for leading in digital health initiatives and called on other counties to follow suit.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to local pharmaceutical manufacturing, improved pharmacovigilance, and stronger regulations through digital platforms.
“Digitization is not optional,” Duale emphasized. “It is how we protect patients, ensure value for money, and build a trusted pharmaceutical sector.”
The initiative supports Kenya’s wider Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals, where access to quality, safe, and affordable medicines is vital.
Stakeholders welcomed the announcement, noting the potential for better accountability, inventory management, and patient care.
The digitization push is a significant step toward modernizing Kenya’s healthcare system and ensuring safer and more efficient pharmaceutical services for all citizens.