President William Ruto has hinted at lowering taxes for local manufacturers in the pharmaceutical sector in Kenya.
Speaking in Machakos County during the launch of MEDS microbiology laboratory, Ruto said the government will work with the private sector to achieve the Universal Health Care (UHC) objective.
“We will review the tax regime and cost of doing business sector to make Kenya a regional pharmaceutical manufacturing hub,” said Ruto.
Further, Ruto explained that the government will provide an ecosystem to support companies that want to manufacture pharmaceutical products in Kenya.
Besides, he revealed that out of the 500 acres of the special economic zone in Thika gazetted last week, 100 acres will be dedicated to companies that want to manufacture pharmaceutical products in Kenya.
“We will shortly be launching the infrastructure in that zone and therefore my offer to companies who want to manufacture in Kenya is going to be concrete and real in the next few months,” stated Ruto.
Additionally, the President referred back to the COVID-19 pandemic arguing it revealed that medical products can be nationalized, and countries can hoard and refuse to sell them to others.
For this reason, Ruto emphasized that having local manufacturing capacity is an insurance for the country of supply even during difficult times globally.
In addition, Ruto said the government has committed to improving the infrastructure of health facilities in the country through the Facility Improvement Fnance Act 2023.
Ruto Commends MEDS
Also, he praised MEDS for its well-established health strengthening unit and medical supply unit that will support the government objectives.
It is facilities like this, and other many components brought together that will give us Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Ruto explained that local manufacturers are essential to UHC since they lower the cost of drugs and medical supply making the system sustainable, affordable, and work for all Kenyans.
The President also congratulated MED for sourcing over 81% of their supplies locally.
He said he has ordered KEMSA to follow suit and prioritize local manufacturers over imports.
“I want to extend an invite to investors to exploit this space and develop manufacturing plants in Kenya from where they can sell locally and also across our region,” he said.
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Also, the president praised MED for training over 40,000 healthcare workers through capacity building initiatives.
Furthermore, the president challenged universities and TVETS to pursue industry focus training solutions to bridge the existing knowledge gaps.
“I would encourage our universities and TVETs that is training our medical personnel to engage in industry training. We will shortly be rolling out a policy on how they can commercialize that activity, “he said.
KEMSA and MED to strengthen their partnership and collaboration to benefit the health provision economics in society.
About MEDS
Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) is a faith based, not-for-profit organization with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and a branch in Kisumu.
It is a registered Trust of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK).
MEDS was started in 1986 as an ecumenical partnership to improve accessibility to quality health care.
MEDS has three main functions include.
1.Supply Chain and Logistics: MEDS robust and resilient Supply Chain Services oversees the procurement, product identification, warehousing, logistics and distribution of health commodities and technologies.
2.Quality Assurance Services: MEDS provides services relating to prequalification of suppliers, inspection of commodities, post-marketing surveillance.
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3.Health Systems Strengthening (HSS): MEDS partners with her clients to build capacity, consultancy services and offering industry-oriented solutions.
Annual Training Programs and Facility-Based training are some of the initiatives that have continued to shape the contributions that has earned MEDS a reputation as a leading healthcare partner in the country and beyond.
Finally, HSS seeks to build linkages that create value and will have set goals for creation of social capital with both internal and external social networks.
