Kenya is home to successful vaccine trials, says global report

Kenya has been recognised as an active player in the development of life-saving human vaccines. 

A report prepared by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) outlining major health sector achievements in the past 50 years named Kenya as home to successful trials. 

IFPMA’s local chapter, Kenya Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (Kapi) hailed the report saying it created a robust body of knowledge on the role of pharmaceutical industry in development in Kenya and beyond.

Kapi Chairperson Dr Anastasia Nyalita said the report also highlights pioneering collaborative roles by the research-based biopharmaceutical industry in delivery of preventive vaccines that also help in treatment thereby strengthening health systems around the world.

“We salute the role played by our global affiliate IFPMA in collating a report that advances the body of knowledge on the role of pharmaceutical industry in development here in Kenya and beyond,” Dr Nyalita said.

Currently, Kenya is participating in a two-year clinical trial fronted by the World Health Organisation on a malaria vaccine aka’ RTS,S (trading as Mosquirix™), an injectable vaccine that provides partial protection against malaria in young children. 

The trials, also taking place in Ghana and Malawi, are expected to provide practical guidelines on the launch of Mosquirix to the market as a vaccine for use in treatment of malaria.

IFPMA President Ian Read praised advances made in prevention and treatment of diseases saying this had transformed healthcare.

“We need to confront new and remaining challenges as many people still lack access to essential health services, family planning, child immunisation, anti-retroviral therapy to combat HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis treatment, clean water and sanitation,” he said.

The report vouched for partnerships among governments to enhance realisation of more vaccines to improve quality of lives for people globally.

“Vaccines are widely recognised as the simplest, most cost-effective way to save lives. HIV/AIDS, once fatal, can now be treated as can many cancers. Cardiovascular disease sufferers benefit from simple-one-a-day solutions. We can now cure Hepatitis C. We have an experimental vaccine for Ebola,” noted Mr Read, who is also the Pfitzer Chairman and Chief Executive.

IFPMA Director General, Thomas Cueni called for innovative resilient health systems, active community health education delivery channels that promote prevention, strengthen standards and regulations while helping make vacinnes affordable.