CS Duale: Counterfeit, substandard drugs costing lives

Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale has put regulators in the sector on notice, saying no substandard medical products should be allowed to enter the country.

Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, Duale said counterfeit and substandard drugs are costing lives of Kenyans, a vice perpetrated due to corruption.

The CS was speaking when he presided over the Performance Contract signing ceremony for the Financial Year 2024/2025 with Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) and Regulatory Bodies under the Ministry of Health.

The CS called upon all SAGAs under the Ministry of Health to uphold integrity at all levels, vowing to fight corruption ruthlessly.

"We will not allow substandard, counterfeit drugs to come to our country because of corruption. I want to put it to you, there are many doctors here, why is the maternal mortality rate in Kenya, after investing heavily for many years, still very high? When our women are giving birth, why are they dying? Why are our neighbouring countries doing better than us?" Duale posed.

"It is because the drug that we use to stop them from bleeding is the wrong drug. If you have a regulator and you are sitting here, you have a choice to make between personal nd national interest," the CS warned.

Duale further called for innovation, efficiency, and responsible stewardship of resources.

He acknowledged the challenges presented by resource constraints and the recent US Government Stop Work Order effective January 19, 2025.

On January 24, the US government issued stop-work orders on many USG-funded programmes, including foreign assistance programs, as part of a review and realignment of US foreign aid, impacting humanitarian organisations and potentially disrupting critical services

Duale emphasised the importance of supporting the Ministry's Planning Department and maintaining prompt and accurate performance reporting.

Duale emphasised the crucial role of performance contracting within the public sector framework, highlighting that it ensures institutions have clear, measurable targets aligned with national priorities.

This initiative, he noted, fosters accountability and a results-oriented culture across ministries, departments, and agencies.

"We are at a critical juncture in the health sector, The expectations placed upon us by the President and the people of Kenya are high, especially as we work towards implementing the Social Health Insurance (SHI) schemes under TaifaCare," Duale stated.

He urged the agencies not to leave room for mistakes.

This year's performance contracts prioritise the rollout of SHI and other flagship programmes essential for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Duale underscored the urgency of these initiatives, which are key to improving healthcare in the country.

The signing ceremony marks the next phase following earlier contract signings with the President and Cabinet Secretaries, and the former Health Cabinet Secretary with the two Principal Secretaries.