By Samwel Doe Ouma
The chairman of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Dr John Munyu, has called for sweeping reforms to strengthen Kenya’s medicines regulatory system and improve oversight of pharmaceuticals and health products.
Speaking during the opening of a board and management meeting on Review and Consideration of Key Organizational Policy and Governance Documents in the coastal city of Mombasa on Monday, Munyu said the reforms will focus on improving efficiency, strengthening accountability and enhancing regulatory performance within the agency.
“Technology will be critical in transforming how we deliver our mandate,” Munyu said. “ICT and emerging innovations, including artificial intelligence, are game changers that can help us improve efficiency and ensure timely delivery of services.”
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board is responsible for regulating medicines, medical devices and other health products in Kenya, including approving new drugs, monitoring safety and enforcing pharmaceutical standards.
Dr. Munyu said modernizing regulatory processes through digital systems will help shorten turnaround times for services and improve transparency.
He also highlighted human resource development as a key pillar of the reform agenda, describing staff capacity as central to the regulator’s effectiveness.
“The quality of management determines the quality of performance and the effectiveness of service delivery within any organization,” he said, urging continued investment in staff training, teamwork and professionalism.
The chair also called for stronger internal audit and risk management systems, as well as enhanced enforcement of pharmaceutical laws to ensure compliance within the sector.
“As a regulator, we have a responsibility to enforce the law. Compliance is not optional,” Munyu said. “Our focus must be on areas that deliver the greatest impact in protecting public health and ensuring order within the pharmaceutical sector.”
Dr. Munyu emphasized the need to strengthen public communication, institutional branding and resource mobilization to support the agency’s regulatory mandate.
He reiterated that the board’s role is to provide oversight and policy direction, while management is responsible for implementing approved policies and work plans.
The regulator is also working toward achieving Maturity Level 3 under the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool, a key international benchmark used to assess the performance of national medicines regulatory authorities.
Dr. Munyu said the agency will also conduct a mid-term review of its performance contract and current strategic plan to help shape its next strategic framework.
During the retreat, Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Mohammed credited the board with supporting ongoing reforms and strengthening institutional performance.
“The guidance and leadership of the board have been instrumental in advancing regulatory reforms,” he said.
The five-day retreat is reviewing key organizational policies and governance documents aimed at improving accountability and aligning operations with strategic priorities.
Board members attending the retreat include Maurice Kodhiambo, Isha Anand, Tadudi Aly Omar, Bernard Maiyo and Serah Kisilu.
Dr. Munyu urged management to strengthen teamwork and professionalism, saying discipline and collaboration will be essential to delivering reforms and safeguarding public health.