The pharmaceutical industry in Kenya is growing at a rapid pace and offers excellent opportunities for exporters and manufacturers to establish their products and services in the lucrative market for pharmaceuticals in East Africa. Kenya is currently the largest producer of pharmaceutical products in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region, supplying about 50% of the regions’ market.

Kenya’s prescription pharmaceuticals market is worth over $500 million and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% till 2020. Prescription drugs account for around 78% of the market. However, the fastest growth in the coming years is expected in the over-the-counter (OTC) product sales.

The pharmaceutical industry in Kenya consists of three segments namely the manufacturers, distributors and retailers. All these play a major role in supporting the country’s health sector, which is estimated to have about 5,000 health facilities countrywide.

The number of companies engaged in manufacturing and distributionof pharmaceutical products in Kenya continue to expand, driven by the Government’s efforts to promote local and foreign investment in the sector. There are about 700 registered wholesale and 1,300 retail dealers in Kenya, manned by registered pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists. These pharmacies are accorded a 25% mark-up on retail drugs. The pharmaceutical sector in Kenya is also engaged in assembling capsules, disposable syringes, paracetamol, and surgical gauze amongst others.

Kenya spends about 8% of its GDP on health. The Kenya Medical Suppliers Agency (KEMSA), a division of the Ministry of Health, largely carries out the distribution of pharmaceutical products in Kenya. It distributes drugs to government public health facilities and private health facilities.

The health sector in Kenya is one of the sectors that has experienced remarkable development in the recent years. The country has made great efforts in controlling diseases like Malaria, TB and Cholera while actively fighting the AIDS/HIV pandemic. Similar efforts have been made in controlling communicable diseases like
poliomyelitis, neonatal tetanus and measles. The targets for eradication of the guinea worm disease and elimination of lymphatic filariasis and leprosy have been attained. Other parasitic diseases of epidemiological concern such as schistosomiasis, helminthiasis and leishmaniasis are seriously being addressed.

The market is heavily dependent on the private clientele, and affordability remains a primary restraint, together with low reimbursement rates. Kenya also enjoys preferential access to the regional market under a number of special access and duty reduction programmes related to the East African Community (EAC)
and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) among others.

Increasingly, urban consumers constitute Kenya’s primary market segment, while private hospital pharmacies remain the principal vendors within the market’s urban sector.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Companies In Kenya:

  • Alpha Medical Manufacturers – Nairobi
  • Aventis Pasteur SA East Africa – Nairobi
  • Bayer East Africa Limited – Nairobi
  • Beta Healthcare (Shelys Pharmaceuticals) – Nairobi
  • Cosmos Limited – Nairobi
  • Dawa Pharmaceuticals Limited – Nairobi
  • Didy Pharmaceutical – Nairobi
  • Diversey Lever – Nairobi
  • Eli-Lilly (Suisse) SA – Nairobi
  • Elys Chemical Industries Ltd – Nairobi
  • Glaxo SmithKline – Nairobi
  • High Chem East Africa Ltd – Nairobi
  • Ivee Aqua EPZ Limited – Athi River
  • Mac’s Pharmaceutical Ltd – Nairobi
  • Manhar Brothers (Kenya) Ltd – Nairobi
  • Novartis Rhone Poulenic Ltd – Nairobi
  • Novelty Manufacturers Ltd – Nairobi
  • Pfizer Corp (Agency) – Nairobi
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co (K) Ltd – Nairobi
  • Pharmaceutical Products Limited – Nairobi
  • Phillips Pharmaceuticals Limited – Nairobi
  • Regal Pharmaceutical Ltd – Nairobi
  • Universal Pharmaceutical Limited – Nairobi

Cardiovascular, diabetes and anti-infectives constitute the largest and fastest-growing prescription market segments, and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is reported to be Kenya’s leading pharmaceutical supplier, with around 12% market share. This is primarily due to the fact that the company reduced the prices of key products by approximately 40% a few years back. Around 41% of all anti-infective products sold in pharmacies were licensed to GlaxoSmithKline.

GlaxoSmithKline has been able to garner a substantial share of Kenya’s pharmaceutical market largely due to the popularity of its anti-infectives, which account for approximately 42% of all revenues generated in the prescription sector. The prices of Amoxil (amoxicillin) 500mg, Suprapen (amoxicillin plus flucloxacillin) 500mg and Floxapen (flucloxacillin) 500mg are particularly competitive within the respective active ingredient classes

Based on revenue segmentation, the top-selling cardiovascular product in Kenya was Nebilit [nebivolol) 5mg, licensed to Menarini, accounting for approximately 7% of revenues for all prescription products sold.

And within the diabetes therapeutic segment, Merck Serono’s Glucophage (metformin) 500mg was the most popular product, based on volume segmentation, accounting for approximately 19.8% of all oral hypoglycaemic tablets sold.

Kenyan private consumers’ prefer branded innovator products, despite the high penetration of generic manufacturers within the overall industry. A critical success factor within the Kenyan market is the use of distributors with established networks with key vendor outlets.

1,833 thoughts on “Companies controlling the pharmaceutical industry in Kenya”
  1. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  2. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  3. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It actually was a entertainment account it. Glance complex to far brought agreeable from you! By the way, how can we keep in touch?

  4. Thank you for any other informative blog. Where else may just I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect method? I have a project that I am simply now operating on, and I have been at the glance out for such information.

  5. You’re so cool! I don’t suppose I have read anything like this before. So great to find someone with a few original thoughts on this issue. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality!

  6. Howdy! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading through your articles. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects? Thank you so much!

  7. If some one desires to be updated with latest technologies after that he must be pay a visit this website and be up to date every day.

  8. Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with? I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

  9. This design is wicked! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  10. I have been surfing online more than three hours these days, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty value enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the net shall be much more useful than ever before.

  11. Hey there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  12. I used to be recommended this blog by way of my cousin. I am not sure whether this submit is written by means of him as no one else realize such detailed approximately my problem. You are wonderful! Thank you!

  13. We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

  14. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays.

  15. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after going through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!

  16. Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  17. Good day! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading through your articles. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects? Thank you so much!

  18. Hey, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!

  19. Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  20. Hey there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Exceptional blog and terrific style and design.

  21. Hey there would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

  22. Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this page to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

  23. Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  24. Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thanks

  25. Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this information together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  26. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appearance. I must say that you’ve done a very good job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Chrome. Superb Blog!

  27. Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness on your post is simply cool and i can think you are knowledgeable in this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to stay up to date with imminent post. Thank you a million and please continue the gratifying work.

  28. When I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Cheers!

  29. Онлайн казино радует своих посетителей более чем двумя тысячами увлекательных игр от ведущих разработчиков.

  30. Онлайн казино отличный способ провести время, главное помните, что это развлечение, а не способ заработка.

  31. Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept

  32. Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any help is very much appreciated.

  33. Хотите получить идеально ровный пол в своей квартире или офисе? Обращайтесь к профессионалам на сайте styazhka-pola24.ru! Мы предоставляем услуги по устройству стяжки пола в Москве и области, а также гарантируем быстрое и качественное выполнение работ.

  34. Хотите заказать стяжку пола в Москве, но не знаете, где искать надежного подрядчика? Обратитесь к нам на сайт styazhka-pola24.ru! Мы предоставляем услуги по устройству стяжки пола м2 по доступной стоимости, а также устройству стяжки пола под ключ.

  35. My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write concerning here. Again, awesome web site!

  36. Технология штукатурки по маякам стен гарантирует великолепный результат. Узнайте больше на mehanizirovannaya-shtukaturka-moscow.ru

  37. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Bless you!

  38. What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & aid other users like its helped me. Good job.

  39. I am extremely inspired with your writing skills and alsosmartly as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid topic or did you customize it yourself? Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to peer a nice blog like this one nowadays..

  40. Pretty component of content. I simply stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to say that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing for your augment or even I achievement you get entry to persistently rapidly.

  41. Wonderful website you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get opinions from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Many thanks!

  42. Its like you read my mind! You seem to understand so much approximately this, like you wrote the ebook in it or something. I think that you simply could do with some p.c. to drive the message house a bit, however other than that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.

  43. I don’t even understand how I stopped up here, however I assumed this submit was good. I don’t understand who you’re however definitely you are going to a famous blogger should you are not already. Cheers!

  44. Наслаждайся невероятными моментами и выигрышами в игре Лаки Джет на официальном сайте 1win. Играй в Lucky Jet на деньги и забудь о скуке – непредсказуемые полеты и крупные выигрыши ждут тебя!

  45. My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on a variety of websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

  46. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays.

  47. Skąd mam wiedzieć, z kim mój mąż lub żona rozmawia na WhatsApp, to już szukasz najlepszego rozwiązania. Podsłuchiwanie przez telefon jest znacznie łatwiejsze, niż myślisz. Pierwszą rzeczą do zainstalowania aplikacji szpiegowskiej w telefonie jest uzyskanie telefonu docelowego.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.