Over 11,000 pharmaceutical technologists are preparing to take action in response to new guidelines that restrict their ability to practice in Level Three to Six health facilities.
According to the recently adopted guidelines by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, only degree-holding practitioners will be permitted to administer medicines in these facilities, while diploma holders will be relegated to managing dispensaries.
Chitechi Amboka, Chairman of the Kenya Pharmaceutical Association, described these guidelines in the Good Pharmacy Practice Standards as discriminatory, arguing that they unjustly deny qualified diploma holders the opportunity to handle essential medicines.
Amboka emphasized that pharmaceutical technologists represent over 70 percent of healthcare practitioners and are vital to the daily operations of healthcare systems.
He warned that the new draft guidelines, set to be implemented in January, could jeopardize the healthcare system at a critical time when the government is advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“The new guidelines will prevent over 11,000 of our members from managing medicines across 3,569 public facilities, restricting this role to degree holders alone,” Amboka stated firmly. “We categorically reject this.”
During a media briefing in Naivasha, Amboka announced that the Association would organize a protest on Thursday to advocate for the withdrawal of the guidelines and indicated a potential closure of facilities until their concerns are addressed.
He pointed out that the guidelines were published without reaching a consensus with sector stakeholders and noted that previous petitions to the Ministry of Health and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board have gone unanswered.
Amboka affirmed that diploma-level practitioners are competent, accredited, and licensed by the appropriate authorities and should be allowed to perform pharmacy-related duties in all healthcare facilities nationwide.
He urged the Board to redirect its focus toward the pressing issue of unqualified individuals practicing in the sector, who pose a risk to public health.
“We urge the immediate suspension of the new guidelines to facilitate a genuine, inclusive, and consensus-driven review, ensuring that all qualified pharmacists with diploma qualifications can practice across all facility levels,” Amboka insisted.
Kenneth Omogi, Chair of the Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists, echoed the sentiment, announcing plans for street demonstrations against the guidelines, citing their inconsistency with established laws in the sector.
Omogi affirmed the Union’s commitment to safe medicine regulation, highlighting that its members possess the necessary qualifications, training, and licensing from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
He cautioned that the impending guidelines could significantly undermine the government’s Universal Health Coverage initiative, particularly in terms of access to affordable care.
In a press conference, the Health Cabinet Secretary dismissed the lobby’s claims, assuring that no practitioners would be barred from pharmacy roles as long as they possess the required qualifications and licenses.
Duale explained that the new standards aim to differentiate practitioners across various health facility levels from those in supervisory roles, who bear significant professional and regulatory responsibilities.
He clarified that these standards are based on competency measures designed to combat illegal and unethical practices that jeopardize patient safety.
Duale further noted that the new standards were developed over the past five years with input from key stakeholders during both the development and technical review phases, and assured that the Pharmacy and Poisons Board is open to constructive dialogue and will provide implementation support leading up to the January 2027 rollout.
