Kenya expands medical manufacturing with syringe plant and HIV pill deal

Kenya is expanding its domestic medical manufacturing capabilities through two significant developments in healthcare supplies and pharmaceutical production.

Crown Healthcare has inaugurated a new syringe manufacturing plant in Kenya. The facility utilizes modern manufacturing technology to produce syringes at scale, aiming to strengthen the local healthcare supply chain and reduce reliance on imported medical devices. The company stated the move is part of an effort to bring the production of essential healthcare products closer to the markets they serve.

In a separate pharmaceutical development, Universal Corporation Limited (UCL) has been selected by Merck to manufacture alimatravir, an investigational once-monthly oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pill. Kenya is one of three African nations, alongside Uganda and South Africa, included in this early licensing arrangement. This strategy aims to shorten the time between potential regulatory approval and the availability of the medicine in low- and middle-income countries. The medicine is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials, including studies conducted in Kenya.