Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya
The Pharmaceutical Companies 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 4,557 health facilities countrywide.
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. Out of the region’s estimated of 50 recognized pharmaceutical manufacturers; approximately 30 are based in Kenya.
It is approximated that about 9,000 pharmaceutical products have been registered for sale in Kenya. These are categorized according to particular levels of the outlet as free sales / OTC (Over The Counter), pharmacy technologist dispensable, or pharmacist dispensable/ prescription only.
Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya products
The products manufactured by the pharmaceutical companies in the country for both local and international markets include;
Antibiotics, Antimalarials, Antiamoebics, Analgesics, Antidiarrheals, Antacids, Tranquillisers, Antispasmodics, Vitamins, and Antiulcers. These drugs are used in various medical areas including Anti-Infective, Gastrointestinal, Analgesic/Anti-inflammatory, Cardiovascular and Respiratory therapeutic segments. The pharmaceutical sector in Kenya is also engaged in assembling capsules, disposable syringes, paracetamol, and surgical gauze amongst others
Pharmaceutical Industry in Kenya
The pharmaceutical industry in Kenya consists of manufacturers, distributors and retailers, who all actively support the Ministry of Health and other key players in developing the health sector.
Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya – Manufacturers
The pharmaceutical sector in Kenya consists of about 30 licensed concerns include local manufacturing companies and large Multi National Corporations (MNCs), subsidiaries or joint ventures. Most Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya are located within Nairobi and its environs. These firms collectively employ over 2,000 people, about 65% of who work in direct production.
The pharmaceutical industry compounds and packages medicines, repacking formulated drugs and processing bulk drugs into doses using predominantly imported active ingredients and excipients. The bulk of locally manufactured preparations are non-sterile, over the counter (OTC) products.
The number of Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Kenya continues to expand, driven by the Government’s efforts to promote local and foreign investment in the sector.
Leading 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
Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya – Distributors
The Kenya Medical Supplies 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.
KEMSA has been an autonomous body since 1st July 2003. Its policy is to make available essential drugs and equipment primarily but not exclusively, to public facilities. KEMSA competes with other suppliers, e.g. the mission-based medical supply facility (MEDS) and private wholesalers.
Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya – Retailers
Pharmaceutical products in Kenya are channeled through pharmacies, chemists, health facilities and shops. There are about 700 registered wholesale and 1,300 retail dealers in Kenya, manned by registered pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists.
The drugs on sale in Kenya are sold according to the outlet categorization, which can be described as free-sales/OTC, pharmacy technologist dispensable, or pharmacist dispensable/prescription only.
Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya – Market Conditions
The market for pharmaceutical products in Kenya is estimated at KShs 8 billion per annum. The government, through Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA), is the largest purchaser of drugs manufactured both locally and imported, in the country. It buys about 30% of the drugs in the Kenyan market through an open-tender system and distributes them to government medical institutions.
Pharmaceutical Industries in Kenya – Poisons Board
Pharmacy and Poisons Board is responsible for registering premises and products. The board verifies that Manufacturer dates, expiry dates, batch numbers, and addresses are correctly labeled. Further, the board implements licensing rules required by the law. It is through this board that pharmacists can register their premise and employ skilled people. In Kenya, Pharmaceutical Industries Poisons Board is dutiful in observing and maintaining professional ethics. The Pharmacy and Poisons Board ensures:
For Manufacturers:
♦ Manufacturers register their premises
♦ The products are registered with the Board
♦ Product labeling in either English or Kiswahili
♦ Ensures Batch Number, Date of manufacture, Expiry Date and Address
of Manufacture is labelled
For Pharmacists:
♦ All pharmacists have practising licenses
♦ Register their premises with the Board
♦ Employ qualified personnel
♦ Observe the laid down professional ethics
List of Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya
- Opamo Pharmacy
- Ursy Chemist Ltd
- Links Three Thousand Ltd
- Mt. Kenya Surgical & Laboratory Supplies
- Laikipia Lab Services & Supplies
- Alpine Medical & Laboratory Supplies
- Jireh Laboratory Supplies
- Joru Laboratory Suppliers Ltd
- Family Medical Supplies Limited
- Pharmaken Ltd
- Mombasa Surgical Supplies
- Fiolabchem Company Ltd
- Chemolife Ltd.
- BOC Kenya Ltd
- African Cotton industries Ltd
- Buyimpex Agencies Ltd
- BOC Kenya Ltd
- Bot of Merino Enterprises
- Genelab Supplies Ltd (Subsidiary of Limatec (K) Ltd)
- Elgonian Distributors
- Woodvale Pharmacy
- Ultralab & East Africa Ltd
- Twokay Chemicals Ltd
- Trismed Supplies
- Travotech Agencies
- Trauma Surgicals & Healthcare Ltd
- 3M Kenya Ltd
- Total Hospital Solutions Ltd
- Teknobyte Ltd
- Technomed Ltd
- Sys-Med Diagnostics Ltd
- Swama Ltd
- Surgipath Services
- Surgimed Healthcare Supplies Ltd
- Surgilabs Limited
- Suken International LTD
- Solvex Agencies
- Shamco Industries Limited
- Seropharm E.A Ltd
- Scitech Diagnostics Ltd
- Sciencescope Limited
- School Equipment Production Unit (SEPU)
- Sanyo Armco (K) Ltd
- Sanmedic Laboratory Supply Ltd
- Sam Tech Diagnostics
- Saima Surgical Supplies Ltd
- Rycedental Supplies
- Rosax (Africa) Ltd
- Roi Scientific Ltd
- Retina (E.A) Medical Suppliers Ltd.
- Rapid Medical Supplies
- PY- REX East Africa
- Pulse Medics Equipment (K) Ltd
- Pulse Healthcare Ltd
- Pulse Care System
- Polarize Enterprises Ltd
- Philips Medical Systems E.A. Ltd
- Phillips Healthcare Technologies Ltd
- Pharma Share Supplies Ltd
- Pharmaken Ltd
- Pefric (EA) Ltd.
- Partec East Africa Ltd
- Parl Medical Suppliers
- Paramedic & Healthcare Supplies Ltd
- Medisyst Ltd
- Medispec Kenya Ltd
- Megascope Healthcare (K) Ltd
- Medspan Laboratory Supplies
- Meditec Systems Ltd
- Mediserve Healthcare Ltd
- Medipharm E.A. Ltd
- Medi System Supplies & Services Ltd
- Medilink Labs and Surgicals Ltd;
- Medigroup Support Ltd
- Medica Enterprises Ltd
- Marty Enterprises Ltd
- Manigate Agencies Ltd
- Magic Chemical Kenya Ltd
- Macmed Healthcare (K) Ltd
- Lued (A) Chemicals Ltd
- Lizsol Chem Company Limited
- Liwajo Diagnostics Ltd
- Life Resources Enterprises
- Lancet Laboratories (2000) Ltd
- Labulax Supplies Ltd
- Labtech Electronic Services E. A. Ltd
- Laboquips Suppliers
- Laborare Medical Supplies
- Laborama Limited
- Labo Pharma Kenya
- Labnet Africa Ltd
- Labmed Limited
- Labaccess Diagnostics
- La Bonne Sante Enterprises
- Kodak Dental Systems
- Kobian Kenya Ltd
- Kenya Surgical Engineers Ltd
- Kenya Medical Engineering Ltd
- Kenya Laboratory Supply Centre Ltd
- KenRuss Medics Ltd
- Kendent Supplies Ltd
- Kem Supplies EastAfrica
- KAM Pharmacy (Wholesale) Ltd
- Joslab Supplies Ltd
- Jimcare Diagnostic Suppliers
- Jencons Africa Ltd
- Janst Healthcare International
- Jabez Healthcare Ltd
- In-Vitro Diagnostics (EA) Ltd.
- Invalid Equipment Ltd
- I-Tech Supplies E.A Ltd
- IMED Healthcare Limited
- Human Quality Assessment Services (HUQAS)
- House of Hearing International Ltd
- Hospital Suppliers Ltd
- Himani Traders & Distributors
- HemoCue Kenya Ltd
- Health-care Equipment Suppliers
- Healthcare Direct (K) Ltd
- Hass Scientific & Medical Supplies Ltd
- Harleys Ltd
- Hain Lifescience E.A Ltd
- Global Sightcare & Supplies
- Gelsup Laboratory Equipment Supply
- Fuji Kenya Ltd
- Flambert Holdings Ltd
- Faram (E.A) Ltd
- F & S Scientific Ltd
- Estec Limited
- Emex(Africa) Ltd.
- Elisatech Diagnostics E.A Ltd
- Elgonian Distributors
- Elegant Surgical Suppliers
- DOL International (K) Ltd
- Disposable Surgicals & Recoveries Ltd
- Dialab Supplies Ltd.
- Diagnostics Automation Ltd
- Dentmed (K) Ltd
- Dentex Industries Ltd
- Dajohn Enterprises Ltd
- Crown Solutions Ltd -Crown Healthcare Division
- Come Diagnostics
- Chromlab Scientific Services & Supplies
- Chinkwe Enterprises Ltd.
- Chem-Rectic Ltd.
- Chemoquip Ltd
- Chem-Labs Services Ltd.
- Central Scientific Supplies
- Cardiac Implant Systems Ltd
- Brisk Diagnostic Limited
- Bridgewell Scientitic
- Bora Biotech Ltd
- Bonmed Medical Systems
- BOC Kenya Ltd
- Bobcare Medical Systems
- Bio Zeq Kenya Ltd
- Biotech Laboratories (K) Ltd
- Biosystems Lab Supplies Ltd.
- Bioquest Kenya Ltd
- Biologic Solutions Ltd
- Bioline Agency
- Biofit Diagnostics
- Bakpharm Ltd
- Bactlab Ltd
- Asterisk Ltd
- Ashcott Ltd
- Ariquest Ltd
- Archevanell General Supplies Kenya Ltd
- Central Drug Company Ltd
- Betroy Pharmaceuticals
- Transwide Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Nakuchem (K) Ltd
- Shifa Chem Ltd
- Pharmaken Ltd
- Oceanview Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Laborex Kenya Ltd
- Kadunguni Pharmacy Limited
- Harley’s Limited
- C. Mehta Co. Ltd
- Laborex Kenya Ltd
- Kentons Ltd
- Harley’s Ltd
- Galaxy Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Medkam Pharmaceuticals E.A Ltd
- Norbrook Kenya Ltd
- Medisel (K) Ltd
- Bora Biotech Ltd
- lnterlake Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd
- Cloriti Pharmaceuticals (E.A) Ltd
- Neema Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Wellmed Pharmaceutical Ltd
- United Pharma (K) Ltd
- Uni Supplies & Marketing (K) Ltd
- Unisel Pharma (K) Ltd
- Twokay Chemicals Ltd
- Trinity Pharma Limited
- Transwide Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Transchem Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Three Pyramids Company Ltd
- Swama Ltd
- Syner-Med Pharmaceuticals (K) Ltd
- Syner Chemie Ltd
- Surgipharm Limited
- Surgilinks Ltd
- Sunpar Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Sunnyland Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Statim Pharmaceuticals
- Sonal Holdings (K) Ltd
- Sky Pharmacy Ltd
- Simba Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Sanofi Pasteur International
- Sanofi Aventis
- Sai Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Saicare Enterprises Ltd
- Rup Pharm Ltd.
- Riviera Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Regal Pharmaceuticals
- Ray Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Pharmaco Healthcare
- Pharm Access Africa Ltd.
- Pan Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Omaera Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Novelty Manufacturing Ltd
- Novartis Pharma Services
- Njimia Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Nilson Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Nila Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Nairobi Pharmaceutical (K) Ltd.
- Modupharma Ltd
- Mission For Essential Drugs and Supplies
- Micro Labs Ltd
- MICA Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Metro Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Medox Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Medivet Products Ltd.
- Maxim Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Masten Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Manhar Brothers (K) Ltd
- Madawa Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Mac Naughton Ltd.
- Mac Lawrence Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd
- Lukim Pharmaceuticals Agencies Ltd
- Lords Healthcare Ltd.
- Leo Pharmaceuticals
- Laborex Kenya Eurapharma Ltd
- Laboratory & Allied Ltd
- Kulal International Ltd
- Ken-Bangla Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- KAM Industries Ltd
- Jupiter Pharmacy Ltd
- Jos Hansen & Soehne (EA) Ltd
- Jawamed Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Jaskam & Company Ltd
- Isis Africa
- IPCA Laboratories Ltd
- Infusion Medicare Limited
- Ilam Pharmacy (Wholesale) Ltd
- Hoffman La-Roche Products Ltd
- Highchem Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Harley’s Ltd
- Haripharma Pharmaceuticals
- Goodman Agencies Ltd.
- Globe Pharmacy Ltd
- Global Net-Medical Ltd
- Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Giant Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Galaxy Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- FAW Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Eurox Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Europa Healthcare Ltd.
- Eros Ventures Ltd
- Elys Chemical Industries Ltd
- Eldohosp Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Egypro East Africa Ltd
- Easton Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Cosmos Ltd
- Depo Pharma Ltd
- Dawa Limited
- Dapco Pharmaceuticals Kenya Ltd
- Dannes Pharmacy Ltd
- Dafra Pharma Ltd
- Consolata Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Concepts (Africa) Ltd
- Comet Healthcare Ltd
- Cistein Pharmaceuticals
- Caroga Pharma Kenya Ltd
- Cadila Pharmaceuticals (EA) Ltd
- C. Mehta 8. Co. Ltd
- Bureau Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- British Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Boehringer Ingelheim Division
- Biotech Pharma Ltd
- Biopharma Ltd
- Biodeal Lboratories Ltd
- Autosterile (E.A) Limited
- Astrazeneca
- Ariquest Ltd
- Armicon Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Ansell Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Beijing Holley-Cotec Co., Ltd.
- Beta Healthcare International Ltd
- Bayer East Africa Ltd
- Alpha Medical Manufacturers Ltd
- Adcock Ingram East Africa Ltd
- Accord Healthcare (Kenya) Ltd
- Ace Pharmaceuticals Ltd