Written By Lisa Murimi
Kenya has introduced its first national system to monitor the consumption of antimicrobial drugs, including antibiotics and antifungals, in a critical step to counter the rising threat of drug-resistant infections.
The Kenya Surveillance System for Antimicrobial Consumption, unveiled by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) in Nairobi, will provide data on drug use patterns across the country.
Dr. Fred Siyoi, head of the PPB, emphasized the urgency of tracking antimicrobial consumption to tackle drug resistance effectively.
“Unchecked, antimicrobial resistance can reverse medical progress, leaving us vulnerable to infections once easily treated,” Siyoi warned.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when microbes adapt and resist drugs, complicating treatment for infections like pneumonia and malaria.
A 2019 study linked AMR to approximately 8,500 deaths in Kenya alone.
The new system will monitor drug use from import to pharmacy, enabling targeted interventions and reducing misuse.
Regulatory officer Dr. Karim Wanga highlighted that misuse in human and animal health, along with poor disposal practices, fuels AMR.
Training for healthcare providers and drug distributors is set for the system’s next phase.
The program aligns with recent UN goals to curb AMR-related deaths globally, aiming for 60% of countries to implement AMR plans by 2030.
