CS Duale Orders Crackdown on Counterfeit Medical Products

Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale has issued a stern directive to regulatory bodies, demanding immediate and decisive action to curb the influx of substandard and counterfeit medical products into Kenya. 

Speaking at the Performance Contract signing ceremony for the 2024/2025 financial year held in Nairobi on Wednesday, Duale identified corruption within the healthcare sector as a primary driver of this critical issue. The Health CS emphasizes the deadly consequences of failing to address the substandard medications, particularly in the context of persistently high maternal mortality rates. Despite significant investments in the healthcare sector, Duale challenges healthcare professionals to critically assess the ethical implications of inadequate or counterfeit drugs, especially those intended to manage postpartum complications. 

He directly links the loss of lives to these illicit products. Duale further stresses the ethical responsibilities of regulators, urging them to prioritize national interests over personal gain, emphasizing the urgent need to eradicate corruption within the sector to safeguard Kenyan lives. His remarks came as Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) and regulatory bodies under the Ministry of Health convene to formalize their performance contracts, setting the stage for a renewed commitment to accountability and integrity.

Acknowledging the financial constraints exacerbated by the US Government's recent halt of numerous foreign aid programs, effective from January 19, 2025, Duale affirms the importance of innovation and resource efficiency. He notes the disruption to humanitarian operations and the significant hurdles now faced by critical health services in Kenya, urging robust support for the Ministry’s Planning Department to ensure timely and accurate performance reporting.

The performance contracts, a central theme of the event, aim to foster accountability and align institutional targets with national priorities. Duale reiterates their role in ensuring a results-oriented approach across all involved agencies, a necessity as Kenya progresses with its ambitious healthcare reforms. These reforms include the rollout of the Social Health Insurance (SHI) schemes under TaifaCare, a flagship initiative designed to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 

Duale has further underscored the high expectations placed on the Ministry by both the government and citizens, emphasizing the urgency of delivering on commitments outlined in the performance contracts and avoiding any errors in implementation. The signing ceremony served as a call to action for all stakeholders, highlighting the Ministry's commitment to efficiency, integrity, and innovation.