Kenya has finally produced its first ever locally produced Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs.
The announcement was made on Monday when Health CS Sicily Kariuki visited Universal Corporation, based in Kikuyu which has produced three million tablets of ARVs so far.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has welcomed the news, stating that locally manufactured drugs were easier to monitor in terms of quality checks.
"Other than creating employment, it also builds the capacity of the local pharmaceutical industry," Pharmacy and Poisons Board CEO Dr Fred Siyoi commented.
The manufacturing plant had received certification from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to proceed with the production of the drugs.
The company produces 100 different pharmaceutical products sold in Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone.
"We have the capacity to produce one million tablets a day. The WHO certification means we can receive orders from governments and global agencies such as Unicef and Global Fund," announced CEO Perviz Dhanani.
Kenyans will, however, have to wait longer to access the local ARVs as the first batch is an order from Cote d'Ivoire.
During a visit to the Kikuyu-based manufacturing plant, the Health CS stated that the government was considering giving incentives to local pharmaceutical companies to enhance their capacity to manufacture essential drugs to meet the local demand for the Universal Health Coverage.
“This will boost the capacity of local manufacturers and create more employment opportunities for the economy and facilitate technology and skills transfer,” the CS noted.
