PPB champions safety, research and local production of traditional medicines

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) is championing safety, research and local production of traditional medicines in Kenya. The Board advocates for enhanced quality assurance, safety monitoring, and scientific evidence to ensure the medicines are safe and of consistent quality for consumers. They emphasized the need for accurate dosing, standardized production, and clear labelling during the 2026 African Traditional Medicine Day commemoration at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

The event, chaired by Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale, featured a panel discussion on "From Tradition to Evidence, Regulation and Integration – Mandates, Achievements, Challenges and Opportunities."

PPB's Head of Herbal and Complementary Medicines, Dr Edwin Burugu, stated that traditional medicine practitioners must adopt ethical practices and adhere to regulatory requirements to protect public health. He emphasized that regulation should not hinder the development of traditional medicine but should instead serve as a mechanism to safeguard consumers, support practitioners, preserve traditional knowledge, and build confidence in market products.

According to PPB registration data, 99 herbal medicinal products were registered between 2020 and 2026, with 42 registered in the last three years. However, imported products accounted for a significant proportion of recent registrations, with 33 of the 42 products registered between 2024 and 2026 being imported, compared to only nine locally manufactured products.

The Board highlighted the necessity to strengthen local manufacturing capacity while ensuring that imported products meet regulatory requirements for quality and safety.

PPB is promoting closer collaboration among traditional medicine practitioners, researchers, manufacturers, and regulators to bolster evidence generation and encourage the development of quality-assured products. The Board stresses that fortifying regulatory oversight alongside research and responsible product development is crucial in fostering public confidence and promoting the role of traditional medicine in healthcare.