The Ministry of Health has announced a crackdown on the illegal sale of prescription-only medicines, warning pharmacies, distributors and individuals that tougher sanctions now lie ahead for those flouting the law.
The ministry made it clear that selling or dispensing prescription medicines without a valid doctor’s prescription is unlawful and will attract serious consequences.
These include the seizure of products, suspension or outright revocation of licences, and possible disciplinary or criminal proceedings.
At the centre of the latest enforcement drive is sildenafil, a prescription medicine best known for treating erectile dysfunction.
Sildenafil works by improving blood flow and is also used in certain heart and lung conditions when prescribed by a clinician.
The drug is said to cause dangerous side effects if misused, especially for people with underlying heart conditions or those taking certain medications.
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This is why it is legally restricted to prescription-only use.
To tighten oversight, the ministry has rolled out new supply chain monitoring systems designed to track the movement of medicines from manufacturer to pharmacy shelf.
From January 1, 2026, batch and lot number declarations for all imported, exported and locally manufactured health products will become mandatory.
ENFORCEMENT REGULATORY CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL SALE OF PRESCRIPTION-ONLY MEDICINES pic.twitter.com/T9lt8YlBOf
— Ministry of Health (@MOH_Kenya) December 23, 2025
Alongside this, the ministry has finalised a Track and Authentication Standard for health products, which, once formally adopted, will improve traceability and accountability across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Enforcement on the ground has also intensified. The ministry says it is carrying out targeted, risk-based inspections of wholesalers, distributors and retail pharmacies, including checks on prescription records.
In Nairobi, all licensed wholesalers are currently undergoing 100 per cent inspections ahead of the 2026 licensing cycle.
Practitioners found to be in breach are routinely referred to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, which has already handled more than ten cases.
With new board members appointed in November, the committee is expected to be fully operational from January 2026, allowing faster handling of pending cases.
Beyond inspections and sanctions, the ministry says it is investing in public awareness and professional training.
Thousands of healthcare workers have already taken part in compliance-focused training, while public education campaigns continue to warn against the risks of using prescription medicines without proper medical advice.