Health Ministry Tightens Rules on Viagra Sale

The Ministry of Health has announced strict measures to regulate the sale of Sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra or the Blue Pill, following a Citizen TV documentary highlighting misuse of the drug.

In a statement on Monday, December 22, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said Sildenafil is strictly prescription-only and should not be sold over the counter.

“The drug increases the risk of life-threatening events such as heart attack and stroke; patients should consult a doctor or pharmacist before use,” Muthoni warned. She explained that the tablets are mainly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and taking them without medical guidance can be extremely dangerous, especially when combined with heart or blood pressure medications.

To curb misuse, the Ministry will implement a monitoring system requiring pharmacies to document and report all sales of prescription medicines. This aims to improve traceability and prevent controlled drugs like Sildenafil from reaching informal or illegal markets.

Muthoni added that frequent audits and inspections of pharmacies will be conducted to ensure that prescription-only medicines are dispensed legally and safely.

The Ministry also plans public education campaigns to raise awareness about the risks of using prescription drugs without proper medical approval and the legal consequences of such actions.

The measures follow a Citizen TV documentary titled Blues and Death, which aired Sunday night and highlighted cases of abuse of sexual performance-enhancing drugs by some Kenyans.