Senate Probes Impact Of Health Products Bill On Animal Medicine Regulation

The Senate Health Committee is raising red flags over a proposed law that could shake up how veterinary drugs are regulated in Kenya.

During a session at Bunge Towers, the committee—chaired by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago—met with officials from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to discuss the Kenya Health Products and Technologies Regulatory Authority Bill, 2022.

The Bill seeks to create a single authority to regulate both human and animal health products.

While the Bill aims to streamline regulation, veterinary experts say it may cause more harm than good.

“We need to know where the veterinary drugs used in Kenya come from. Are they locally made or imported, and how are they approved before reaching farmers?” asked Senator Mandago as he opened the session.

In response, Dr. Allyham Amasha, speaking for the veterinary profession, said many of the drugs are produced in Kenya by licensed facilities.

“VMD conducts thorough quality checks before these drugs reach the market,” he said. He warned that merging veterinary regulation under a general health body could weaken the current system.

The session was part of ongoing public consultations as required by the Constitution. Stakeholders from across the veterinary sector attended to voice concerns about safety, access, and the regulation of animal health products.

Committee Vice Chairperson, Senator Mariam Omar, highlighted another serious issue: the smuggling of unregulated animal drugs through porous borders.

“We have reports that some of these drugs are coming in from Somalia and Ethiopia. They are not tested or approved, yet they’re ending up in our food chain. What are we doing to protect consumers?” she asked.

Dr. Nungula Karachu, Chair of the Kenya Veterinary Board, warned that the Bill may worsen the situation. “Clause 3(2) says no other authority can regulate anything under this Act. That would push out the VMD and leave a gap in regulation,” she said. “This could open the door to unregulated products in the market.”

The Committee also raised concerns about a clause that would allow pharmacists to dispense veterinary drugs.

“Do pharmacists really understand how to treat animals?” Senator Mandago asked. “This isn’t just about selling medicine—it’s about understanding animal health.”

Dr. Delphine Ogutu, a technical expert at the VMD, responded, “Pharmacists are trained in human medicine. Animal health requires different skills. If misused, these drugs could leave dangerous residues in milk or meat and create resistance to treatment.”

Another controversial part of the Bill is Clause 31(2), which proposes creating a Kenya Essential Veterinary Medicines List under the new authority. Dr. Amasha opposed it, saying, “We already have such a list managed by veterinary professionals under the Ministry of Agriculture. Transferring this responsibility would cause confusion and disrupt the system.”

Senator Mandago assured stakeholders that the Committee is determined to protect veterinary regulation. “Animal health is not something we can bundle together with human medicine. It supports food safety, livelihoods, and public health. The law must respect that,” he said.