Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced the rollout of a new digital system that will revolutionize drug distribution.
Speaking in Kisumu on Wednesday, July 16, Duale said the Ministry of Health is set to launch a medicine coding system designed to ensure that only verified pharmacists dispense medication and that all drugs supplied to the public are approved.
"We are introducing medicine codes; you cannot dispense pharmaceutical products if you are not a pharmacist. You will not dispense fake drugs; drugs that Kenyans will get must be approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board," he declared.
Additionally, Duale announced reforms aimed at improving patient accommodation in healthcare facilities through a new Bed Capacity Access Rule.
According to the CS, the initiative is being driven by the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Digital Health Transformation Superhighway.
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"Through the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Digital Health Transformation Superhighway, we have introduced the Bed Capacity Access Rule; we will not allow any Kenyan to sleep on the floor again whether it is in public, private or faith-based.
"The story of three people sleeping on one bed has come to an end; if you want more patients, go buy more beds; if you have beds and no space, build new wards," he stated.
The announcement came a day after Duale announced that Kenya has been named among the first nine African countries set to roll out Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention, by January 2026.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 15, he said the move is in a bid to offer sustainable HIV prevention options.
"We are proud to announce that Kenya, along with eight other countries, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, is among the first nine nations selected to introduce Lenacapavir, a ground-breaking long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), by January 2026.
"This milestone underscores our collective determination to expand access to effective, discreet, and sustainable prevention options across the region," the CS said.
Duale further statement that the groundwork for implementation is already well underway.
According to the CS, the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), together with key partners, is leading the charge to ensure readiness.
"The Ministry of Health has already developed an implementation plan, and through a consultative process with stakeholders, we are finalizing national guidelines to facilitate a smooth scale-up.
"The Ministry of Health through NASCOP and our partners, we are actively working to ensure this innovative product is accessible to Kenyans by January 2026," he added.
