By Janet Nyamwamu
The Senate Standing Committee on Health met Tuesday to deliberate on the Kenya Health Products and Technologies Regulatory Authority Bill, 2022 (National Assembly Bills No. 54 of 2022).
The proposed legislation aims to streamline the regulation, registration, and quality control of medical products and technologies in Kenya.
During the sitting chaired by Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), the lawmakers examined provisions establishing a centralized regulatory authority to oversee medical devices, laboratory equipment, and pharmaceuticals.
The bill seeks to consolidate fragmented frameworks and eliminate bureaucratic overlap that slows down service delivery and market entry.
“We must guarantee Kenyans access to safe, effective, and affordable medical products,” said Mandago, urging a unified approach aligned with international safety standards.
Committee members including Mariam Omar Sheikh, David Wakoli Wafula, Maureen Tabitha Mutinda, and Richard Onyonkax, raised questions about the bill’s integration with existing institutions like the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
They also called for clarity on the role of county governments in implementation.
Onyonka underscored the urgency of reform, saying the legislation could enhance efficiency and protect local manufacturers from regulatory uncertainty.
The Committee will seek additional input from stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, private sector representatives, medical practitioners, and civil society to refine the bill before submitting its final report.
