The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) has called for stronger pharmacist deployment and professional oversight as Kenya prepares to implement the 2026 Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) Standards.
PSK President Dr Wairimu Mbogo made the call on Friday, September 25, 2026, as Kenya joined the rest of the world in marking World Pharmacists Day under the theme “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures.”
The society said the new standards come at a time when Kenya is strengthening primary healthcare, addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and pursuing Universal Health Coverage.
PSK particularly defended the requirement for pharmacist professional oversight at Level 3 facilities, arguing that such centres are increasingly handling chronic disease care, maternal health, antimicrobial management and more complex medicines.
According to the society, patients with conditions such as hypertension and diabetes require more than routine medicine dispensing. Pharmacists can review medicines, identify interactions and adverse effects, support adherence, monitor treatment and determine when referral may be necessary.
The position comes amid a dispute over the new standards, with pharmaceutical technologists previously raising concerns that the rules could restrict their roles at higher-level health facilities.
However, the Ministry of Health clarified earlier this month that the standards do not bar diploma or degree pharmacy professionals from practising at any level, provided they are registered or enrolled, licensed and working within their lawful scope. The Ministry said the distinction concerns professional responsibility and the qualifications required for those serving as facility superintendents.
The 2026 GPP Standards are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. The Pharmacy and Poisons Board says the standards establish national requirements for pharmacy practice, including roles, scopes of practice, staffing and service standards appropriate to different levels of care.
PSK also rejected the argument that Kenya lacks enough pharmacists to support higher standards of pharmaceutical care.
The society said Kenya has more than 5,600 pharmacists, although about 2,800 currently renew annual practice licences. It added that around 400 pharmacists had recently completed internship and about 600 had entered internship, with nine schools of pharmacy producing more professionals.
PSK said the challenge should increasingly be addressed through better utilisation, deployment and distribution of pharmacists rather than lowering standards because of perceived shortages.
The society also called for stronger action against unlicensed pharmaceutical outlets, urging county governments to coordinate with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to ensure businesses do not operate pharmacies without valid regulatory licences.
The PPB reported in August that it had licensed 15,679 pharmaceutical professionals and 11,141 pharmaceutical premises, while assessing facilities across 43 counties as part of efforts to strengthen compliance.
PSK said the implementation of the standards should ultimately focus on patient safety and access to appropriate pharmaceutical care, including in rural and underserved communities.
The society called on government, regulators, counties, employers and pharmacists to work towards stronger pharmaceutical services as Kenya moves towards implementation of the new standards in 2027.
