Study Finds Nine in 10 Nairobi Pharmacies Stocking Non-Compliant Imported Medicines
核心洞察
A Mount Kenya University (搜索) study of 2,348 Nairobi pharmaceutical outlets found 90% were selling at least one unauthorised parallel-imported medicine that failed Kenyan regulatory requirements.
All 22 parallel-imported medicines examined failed at least one key regulatory requirement, with 90% carrying packaging written entirely in foreign languages and 90% lacking critical information such as batch numbers and expiry dates.
Most imported products targeted chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, yet nearly half offered no financial advantage over locally available generic alternatives.
A new study has found that about nine out of every 10 pharmacies surveyed across Nairobi were stocking imported medicines that failed to comply with Kenyan regulations, raising fresh concerns over patient safety and weaknesses in pharmaceutical oversight.
According to a report published by The Daily Nation, citing research conducted by consultants from Mount Kenya University (搜索) (MKU), 90 per cent of retail pharmaceutical outlets across Nairobi's 85 wards were selling at least one unauthorised parallel-imported medicine. The researchers visited 2,348 pharmaceutical outlets between September 1, 2023, and October 31, 2024, to assess the presence and compliance of imported medicines in the market.
For deeper analysis, six wards — Kilimani, Parklands, Kangemi, Korogocho, Njiru, and Roysambu — were selected based on socioeconomic characteristics and their distance from Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD).
Scope of Non-Compliant Imports
The study identified 22 parallel-imported medicines, most of them used to manage chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, urinary disorders, and mental health conditions. Researchers noted that nearly half of these medicines appeared on Kenya's essential medicines list and that most were already available locally as lower-cost generic alternatives, in some cases with more than 10 generic options on the market.
Most of the imported medicines originated from Turkey, with smaller volumes sourced from Italy, South Africa, Hungary, and Pakistan.
Although parallel importation — the importation of medicines without the patent holder's consent — is legally permitted in Kenya under regulations introduced in 2019 to improve access and reduce costs, the study found major weaknesses in implementation. According to the findings, all 22 medicines examined failed at least one key regulatory requirement.
Labelling and Packaging Failures
About 90 per cent of the imported products had packaging written entirely in foreign languages, mainly Turkish, making it difficult for patients and healthcare providers to verify dosage instructions, side effects, storage conditions, and other safety information.
The report also found that 45 per cent carried storage instructions suited for cooler European climates rather than Kenya's hotter conditions, raising concerns about medicine stability and effectiveness. One diabetes medicine reviewed reportedly carried conflicting storage instructions on the same package, triggering concerns over possible falsification.
Researchers stated that widespread non-compliance was identified across labelling and packaging standards. The study further found that 90 per cent of products lacked critical information, including active ingredient content, batch numbers, manufacturing and expiry dates, and details of the marketing authorisation holder. Most blister packs also failed to meet basic information requirements.
Questionable Public Health Benefit
The report questioned whether the imported products provided any meaningful public health benefit, noting that most medicines were already off-patent and available locally through authorised channels. Price comparisons also challenged assumptions that imported products have lower costs — in nearly half the comparisons, imported medicines offered no financial advantage over approved alternatives.
The study observed that wealthier neighbourhoods recorded higher levels of non-compliant imports. In areas such as Kilimani and Parklands, several imported branded medicines appeared widely available across pharmacies, while lower-income areas, including Kangemi and Korogocho, showed fewer imported products and greater reliance on generics.
Regulatory and Enforcement Gaps
Researchers said the findings expose broader structural challenges within pharmaceutical regulation and enforcement. The report noted that Nairobi has only 1,189 formally registered pharmacies, despite researchers visiting 2,348 outlets, suggesting a large number may be operating outside formal licensing frameworks.
Experts warned that poorly labelled medicines and products stored outside recommended climate conditions may reduce treatment effectiveness or increase health risks, particularly for patients managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
The findings come amid rapid growth in Kenya's pharmaceutical sector over the past eight years, with the number of registered pharmaceutical outlets increasing by 53 per cent and licensed pharmacy professionals rising by 70 per cent as access to healthcare services expands across the country. Data from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (搜索) (PPB) shows registered pharmaceutical premises rose from 6,852 in 2018 to 10,497 as of June 23, 2026, while the number of licensed pharmacy professionals grew from 9,031 to 15,397 during the same period.