The Kenyan government is moving to stop the delivery of prescription antibiotics by boda boda riders, arguing that the practice has fuelled the spread of counterfeit medicines and weakened oversight of how powerful drugs reach patients.
Speaking during the launch of a national campaign against counterfeit medical products on Tuesday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said antibiotics should only be dispensed through licensed pharmacies under the supervision of qualified healthcare professionals.
The planned restrictions form part of a wider effort to tighten control over Kenya’s pharmaceutical supply chain as authorities confront growing concerns over fake and substandard medicines being sold through online platforms and informal delivery networks.
“Very soon, the story where, from the comfort of your house, you order an antibiotic, pay, and then a boda boda delivers it, that will be history in Kenya,” Duale said.
His remarks signal a shift in how prescription medicines may be accessed, particularly as online pharmacies and home delivery services have become increasingly common.
The Health Ministry says counterfeit medicines remain a serious public health concern. Fake antibiotics, sexual enhancement drugs and diagnostic kits have been found circulating through unlicensed pharmacies and digital marketplaces, exposing patients to medicines that may contain the wrong ingredients, incorrect doses or no active ingredient at all.
Health experts have long warned that such products can lead to treatment failure, worsen antimicrobial resistance and, in some cases, cause severe illness.
Mr Duale said regulators would intensify surveillance of online pharmacies and digital platforms suspected of facilitating the illegal sale of prescription medicines.
Addressing the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, he urged the regulator to take firm action against offenders.
“You have a constitutional moral obligation to protect citizens from falsified and substandard counterfeit medicines,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary also pledged political backing for enforcement measures, warning businesses operating outside the law that they would face consequences.
“The action they are taking has the highest political backing for the interest of the Kenyan patient. You either comply with the law as provided by the regulator or look for another country to do business,” Mr Duale said.
The ministry has advised Kenyans to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and avoid purchasing prescription drugs through social media pages or unauthorised online sellers.
The planned crackdown comes as governments across the region face mounting challenges in policing online medicine sales while preserving access to essential healthcare. Officials say the latest measures are intended to protect patients, strengthen confidence in the pharmaceutical system and help curb the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
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