31/07/2026
Safe, quality pharmacy-led family planning services are key to strengthening primary health care and expanding equitable access to reproductive health services.
This was the focus of a panel discussion on โBreaking Barriers to Equity: A Pharmacist-Led Market Access Framework for Scaling Injectable Family Planning in Community Pharmaciesโ held during the 22nd Kenya Pharmaceutical Association Annual Scientific Conference, where Dr. Wilfred Ochieng, Director of Pharmacy Practice at the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), outlined the regulatory measures supporting the safe delivery of injectable contraceptive services through community pharmacies.
Dr. Ochieng said the 7th Edition Kenya National Family Planning Guidelines marks a significant milestone by recognizing trained pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists as providers of injectable contraceptive services, creating new opportunities to improve access to family planning closer to communities.
He noted that PPB is implementing this expanded scope of practice through a robust regulatory framework anchored on provider competency, compliant pharmacy premises, accountability and continuous regulatory oversight to ensure women receive safe, quality and patient-centred care.
He further highlighted PPBโs efforts to strengthen pharmacovigilance through digital reporting platforms, mobile applications and continuous capacity building for pharmacy personnel to improve the reporting of adverse events and enhance medicine safety.
The discussion reaffirmed the growing role of community pharmacies in advancing primary health care by expanding access to quality family planning services while upholding the highest standards of patient safety, quality and professional practice.
It's been two days of meaningful conversations, from welcoming the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, at our booth to today's engaging panel discussion. We look forward to continuing the conversations and partnerships that are shaping the future of pharmacy practice and primary health care.
The Ministry of Health Kenya Pharmaceutical Association - National Page Kenya Pharmaceutical Association - Nairobi Branch