Pharmacist to be feted for effort on cheap drugs

Kenya Pharmaceuticals Distributors Association (KPDA) Chairman Dr Kamamia Murichu PHOTO: COURTESY

A Kenyan pharmacist who has been battling international pharmaceutical companies over high prices of medicine sold locally will today receive a continental award.

Dr Kamamia wa Murichu, the chairman of the Kenya Pharmaceutical Distributors Association, will be feted with the 'Titans Building Nations' award in Nairobi for his efforts to provide the same original branded medicine sold by international pharmaceuticals or their local agents in the country but at significantly lower prices.

For instance, the average wholesale price of a certain antibiotic for pneumonia manufactured by an international pharmaceutical firm is Sh1,500 in the United Kingdom but in Kenya it goes for Sh9,500.

Similarly, a certain cancer drug manufactured by another pharmaceutical giant costs Sh60,000 in India but in Kenya it goes for over Sh200,000. The same scenario is reflected in many other crucial medicines.

Through KPDA, which brings together local pharmacies, Dr Wamurichu has taken on the top pharmaceutical companies by doing parallel importation of their medicines from countries where they are sold at lower prices and allowing Kenyans to access them.

This has met stiff resistance from the manufacturers and their local agents who claim they are being undercut by KPDA.

"There should be a balance between seeking profits and saving lives. Through parallel importation, we have managed to force reductions in prices of drugs," he said.

The parallel importation of original medicines, without authorisation of the manufacturers or licensed agents in Kenya, is allowed by Kenyan law and the World Trade Organisation regulations to enhance access to essential drugs for poor countries.