Editor's Review
President William Ruto has announced the signing of an agreement between Kenya and US pharmaceutical company Pfizer aimed at reducing the cost of medicines used to treat several types of cancer.
President William Ruto has announced the signing of an agreement between Kenya and US pharmaceutical company Pfizer aimed at reducing the cost of medicines used to treat several types of cancer.
In a statement on Monday, August 31, President William Ruto said the agreement between Pfizer and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), signed under the Accord for a Healthier World initiative, is expected to make cancer medicines more affordable while expanding access to newer treatments in Kenya.
"Today, Kenya has made a major breakthrough in the treatment of several cancers following the signing of a consequential agreement with Pfizer, a United States multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation," he wrote.
According to Ruto, the agreement has resulted in substantial reductions in the prices of medicines used to treat a wide range of cancers, including breast, stomach, colon, lung, prostate, oesophagus, leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
"Consequently, prices of medicines for the treatment of breast, stomach, colon, lung, prostate, oesophagus, leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma cancers have reduced remarkably by more than 7 times," he added.
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According to Ruto, in some cases, the cost of cancer treatment medicines has fallen from as much as Ksh1 million to below Ksh50,000 per treatment cycle.
The reduction is also expected to ensure that the Ksh800,000 cancer treatment package under the Social Health Authority (SHA) is sufficient to cover patients without requiring additional payments.
Ruto further said the agreement would address delays in accessing newer cancer medicines, allowing Kenyan patients to benefit from advanced treatments without having to wait for a decade.
"Additionally, Kenya will access newer medicines without the 10-year wait that cancer patients are currently subjected to," he further said.
Ruto also linked the agreement to efforts to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa, saying Pfizer would make its technologies and newer medicines available for local production on the continent.
"As the African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing of Medical Commodities, I am proud that Pfizer is making available these technologies and newer medicines for local pharmaceutical production in the continent," the statement concluded.
This comes months after Kenya secured a leadership position in global health governance after being selected to serve on the Pandemic Fund Governing Board as the Alternate Representative for the East and Southern Africa Constituency.
In a statement on Thursday, June 18, the Ministry of Health highlighted the significance of the appointment for Kenya's growing role in regional and global public health initiatives.
"Kenya has been selected to serve on the Pandemic Fund Governing Board as Alternate Representative for the East and Southern Africa Constituency," the statement read.
The ministry noted that the position will be held by Maureen Kamene Kimenye, the Acting Director General of the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI).
According to the ministry, the appointment is a recognition of Kenya's continued commitment to strengthening health systems and advancing pandemic preparedness across the region.
"The appointment of KNPHI Ag. Director General Dr. Maureen Kamene Kimenye reflects the country’s growing leadership in advancing health security, pandemic preparedness and resilient health systems across the region," the statement added.
Under the new arrangement, Ethiopia's Minister of Health, Mekdes Daba Feyssa, will serve as the Principal Representative for the East and Southern Africa Constituency, while Kimenye will serve as the Alternate Representative.
The board's African representation also includes the North and Horn of Africa Constituency, where Tunisia's Minister of Health, Mustapha Ferjani, will serve as the Principal Representative.
Muntasir Mohammedosman Elhassan, Director-General of Health Emergencies and Epidemics Control for Sudan, will serve as the Alternate Representative.
