Pharmacy and Poisons

Protecting sight is an important part of diabetes care. Early screening and timely treatment can help prevent avoidable vision loss and improve quality of life for people living with diabetes. As Kenya prepares to host the IAPB 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE Conference in Nairobi, the Ministry of Health continues to strengthen eye health services and expand access to diabetic retinopathy screening across the country. #LoveYourEyes #DiabetesCare #2030InSight #UniteForImpact #EyeHealth #IAPB #NCDs #UHC

Mental health matters. This Mental Health Awareness Month, let us encourage open conversations, compassion, and support for those facing mental health challenges. It’s okay to speak up, ask for help, and prioritise your wellbeing. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealthMatters #EndTheStigma

Kenya has identified strengthening the health workforce, expanding digital interoperability, enhancing disease surveillance, advancing climate-resilient health systems, and promoting local manufacturing as priority areas requiring demand-driven innovation partnerships to accelerate Universal Health Coverage. Speaking during the “Reverse Pitch” session on the margins of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni emphasized the need for affordable, scalable, interoperable, and context-driven innovations that respond to frontline healthcare needs. The PS further called for stronger collaboration among governments, innovators, investors, academic institutions, and development partners to support sustainable health innovations and drive the transition from fragmented pilot initiatives to long-term health systems transformation.

The MoH Daily Newsletter – 13 May 2026 Edition is now available. Download here: 📎 health.go.ke/node/2358

Celebrating mothers today and always for the important role they play in nurturing families and building stronger communities.

“Hantavirus is spread through contact with infected rodents or contaminated areas. Although the current global risk remains low, counties and health facilities must strengthen preparedness, surveillance, and public awareness measures.” — Mary Muthoni, CBS Principal Secretary, Public Health and Professional Standards

PRESS RELEASE – Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship: Public Health Advisory

𝐏𝐏𝐁 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has highlighted key regulatory milestones achieved through institutional workplans during the 3rd Annual Regulatory Authorities and Agencies Conference in Kitui. Speaking during the conference, PPB Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ahmed Mohamed presented on “Institutional Workplans Geared Towards Achieving Effective Regulatory Control,” outlining reforms and interventions that have strengthened oversight of health products and technologies in Kenya. The CEO noted that the Board has enhanced regulatory surveillance activities to strengthen the integrity of supply chains for health products and technologies, improved renewal processes for registered products, and expanded detection and monitoring of risks through capacity building on adverse event reporting. He further highlighted the decentralisation of regulatory functions through 10 regional offices and investments in ICT systems and infrastructure aimed at improving efficiency, productivity, and service delivery. The conference was hosted by the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Mr. Felix Koskei, and brought together Principal Secretaries, Board Chairpersons, Chief Executive Officers, regulators, and governance experts to discuss strategies for strengthening regulatory effectiveness, institutional accountability, integrity, and public confidence. Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, and PPB Board Chairperson Dr. John Munyu also attended the high-level engagements. The conference was held under the theme “Consistent Measurement and Evaluation of Real Regulatory Impact on the Ground.”

𝐏𝐏𝐁, 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐁 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), in collaboration with the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), represented by the Regional Representative for East Africa, Mr. Ahmed El Deib, on Wednesday officially launched a three-day training workshop on the Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) programme aimed at strengthening regulated supply chains and protecting consumers against illicit drugs in Kenya and the East African region. The training has brought together representatives from government agencies, international organisations, and enforcement partners to strengthen cooperation, information sharing, and the use of GRIDS tools in combating illicit drug trafficking and safeguarding public health. Speaking during the opening ceremony, participants raised concern over the growing threat posed by the illicit trade and trafficking of health products and technologies, underscoring the need for stronger regional and international collaboration to address the evolving challenge. The workshop also highlighted achievements made under Operation African Star 2 conducted in July 2025, where agencies from Kenya and neighbouring countries strengthened coordination and successfully intercepted illicit products entering through courier and parcel delivery systems. A key focus of the training is the introduction and operationalisation of the GRIDS and IONICS Platform Programme in Kenya. The initiative is expected to strengthen tracking, monitoring, and verification of pharmaceutical products across the supply chain to ensure medicines reaching consumers are safe, effective, and of assured quality. Participants were encouraged to strengthen partnerships among regulatory authorities, law enforcement agencies, international organisations, and the private sector to enhance supply chain integrity and consumer safety. The organisers reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration in safeguarding communities from the dangers of illicit drugs and promoting a safer and healthier East Africa.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has announced the schedule and guidelines for its June 2026 professional examinations, setting strict conditions for candidates before and during a five-day assessment period that will be conducted entirely through online. the-star.co.ke/news/2026-05-0…

PUBLIC UPDATE: CHANGES IN EXAMINATION DATES 👉

Digital platforms support licensing, inspections and monitoring of medicines across Kenya.

PPB evaluated 1,880 safety reports, strengthening medicine and vaccine safety monitoring in Kenya

Stay informed on medicine safety, regulation, and latest updates from PPB. 📄 Read PPB Newsletter Issue No. 33: web.pharmacyboardkenya.org/wp-content/upl…

Honouring the commitment and resilience that drives our nation forward. Happy #LabourDay.

Vaccines protect every generation. This #WorldImmunizationWeek, we reaffirm our commitment to reaching every child, everywhere.

Missed a vaccine? Visit your nearest health facility and get back on schedule. Vaccination protects every generation.

Post-market surveillance helps detect poor-quality medicines and remove them from the market.

PPB uses Minilabs, Raman and Near Infrared technologies to detect falsified or substandard medicines.