President Ruto Opens MEDS Microbiology Lab, Advocates Local Pharmaceutical Investment

Machakos, Kenya - 22nd November 2023 - President William Ruto highlighted the significance of strong investment in local pharmaceutical production and medical supplies during the opening of the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies’ Microbiology Laboratory today He emphasized that this step will enable Kenya to competitively manufacture drugs for the domestic market, enhancing universal access to quality healthcare. 

Accompanied by Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha S. Wafula and PS for Public Health and Professional Standards Ms. Mary Muthoni, the President stated that this initiative aims to reduce the country's annual imports bill by KSh76 billion, elevate export earnings, generate more job opportunities, and foster long-term economic growth.

Additionally, he toured MEDs' warehousing facilities, strictly adhering to the good distribution practices outlined by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The state-of-the-art facility is one of the two World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified quality control laboratories in Kenya and marks the world's first faith-based WHO prequalified laboratory. 

The laboratory excels in physicochemical testing of pharmaceutical products, microbiological testing of health products, examination of medical devices, provision of training, and the distribution of testing laboratory consumables. 

Established through an Ecumenical partnership between the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), MEDS serves as a faith-based health solutions provider. Since its inception in 1986, MEDS has remained dedicated to delivering reliable, top-tier health products and technologies to church health facilities