Kenya seeks to be regional pharmaceutical hub

Kenya has put in place mechanisms that will make the country the regional pharmaceutical and health innovation hub, a senior official has said.Public Health Minister Beth Mugo said in Nairobi that the country’s national health research institute will provide leadership in order to achieve this ambitious goal. “Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has partnered with international development partners in order to disseminate research beyond the spheres of science and academia so that results can be put to develop innovative products,” Mugo said in a speech read on his behalf by the Public Health Permanent Secretary (PS) Mark Bor during the opening ceremony of KEMRI’s 2nd Annual Scientific and Health conference on Wednesday. The conference will disseminate research findings with an aim of translating them into policy formulation and practice and also align them to national goals as well as the Millennium Development Goals. “The government hopes to follow in the footsteps of other developing countries such as India that have managed to become pharmaceutical and health sectors of excellence,” Bor said. “Through sustainable research, Kenya could leapfrog other nations and become a regional hub for east and central Africa,” Bor said. He said that some of KEMRI’s partners include Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Center for Disease Control (CDC), Walter Reed Project (WRP) and Wellcome Trust. The PS said the country will seek to expand the already burgeoning pharmaceutical industry in Kenya,” he said. Mugo said the cabinet approved early this month the Pharmaceutical Industry Sessional Paper that recognizes the sector as a distinct economic entity with multi-dimensional aspects having a direct impact on the health and safety of the population as well as on the national economy, international trade and cooperation. She said that the new policy will enhance government focus on the institutional and regulatory strengthening of research institutions in Kenya in order to develop a world class industry. Mugo said that once Kenya becomes a hub, it will be able to provide universal access to quality essentials medicines, health technologies and pharmaceutical services in the country. She said that the new policies put in place will continue to support local initiatives and scientists so that they achieve scientific breakthroughs. “The government is also particularly keen on tapping into traditional medicines and drugs by building on indigenous knowledge systems,” she noted. The minister said that already KEMRI has achieved breakthrough findings that are aimed at addressing the problems of public health facing Kenyans including HIV and malaria. “These innovations will showcase the importance of investing in medical research and capacity building for local scientists,” he said. “It should give further impetus on the importance of international collaboration and partnerships and the ever increasing need for public private partnership in finding solutions to the problems of ill health in Kenya and the region,” Mugo said.