The government has asked counties to consider buying generic drugs to make healthcare more affordable to Kenyans.
Mr Eliud Muriithi, the director of commercial services at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) assured during an interview with a local daily that counties will still get value for their money and give Kenyans quality medicine at affordable prices.
He confirmed that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends prescription by generic names, a system the Ministry of Health has adopted through the Kenya Essential Medicines List 2016.
The document lists all drugs that should be in public hospitals by their generic names.
Mr Muriithi said the government prefers generic drugs, and that Kemsa largely procures them to reduce costs.
“Kemsa does not stock branded drugs. Only in a few instances will Kemsa procure branded drugs; but even then, only after a survey is done and recommends a particular brand,” he said.
He said it is difficult for counties to buy many drugs if they insist on originals when they can get more of generic drugs, which are cheaper and just as effective.
“We procure branded drugs only in situations when we know they are safer to use than generic ones,” he said.
On January 3, Madison General Insurance directed doctors to strictly prescribe generic medicines for its customers.
But the doctors vowed to defy the order and accused the insurer of attempting to curtail their autonomy.