The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has urged African countries to harmonize drug regulation to boost access to safe medicines. PPB Chairperson Dr John Munyu made the call during the closing of the 6th PharmaReg & MedDevReg AfriSummit 2026 in Nairobi. He emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among African regulators, policymakers, and manufacturers to improve access to quality, safe, effective, and affordable health products across the continent.
Dr Munyu said African countries must move beyond discussions and translate regulatory cooperation into concrete actions that strengthen healthcare systems and protect public health. He urged regulators, manufacturers, policymakers, and development partners to sustain the partnerships established during the summit and share experiences to build regulatory systems that are efficient, responsive, and fit for the future.
The PPB chairperson also challenged stakeholders to strengthen regulatory harmonization and reliance while supporting local manufacturing and the growth of African markets for locally produced health products. He noted that African countries have a shared responsibility to ensure that patients have timely access to quality health products and technologies.
Dr Munyu's remarks echoed those of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who at the opening of the summit called for greater regulatory cooperation across the continent to support Africa's pharmaceutical future. The summit brought together national regulatory authorities, regional and international organizations, development partners, and industry leaders to discuss the regulation of pharmaceutical and medical device products in Africa.
The PPB chairperson expressed appreciation to the organizers, speakers, panelists, moderators, sponsors, and delegates for contributing to the success of the three-day summit. He officially declared the 6th PharmaReg & MedDevReg AfriSummit 2026 closed, urging participants to carry the discussions and commitments made in Nairobi back to their respective countries and institutions.
Stronger regulatory systems are essential in building public confidence and ensuring that health products reaching patients meet required standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness. The success of the summit will ultimately be measured by how participants apply the knowledge and partnerships developed during the meeting.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has warned of falsified cancer drug batches circulating in the market and arrested 95 people in a raid on fake chemists in Nairobi slums. Kenya is also in a drive to attain WHO medicine production levels in the next five months.
Key points
- The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has called for stronger collaboration among African regulators, policymakers, and manufacturers.
- African countries must move beyond discussions and translate regulatory cooperation into concrete actions.
- Stronger regulatory systems are essential in building public confidence and ensuring that health products meet required standards.
