The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has dramatically improved its order fill rate from approximately 40% in 2022 to over 90%, significantly enhancing medicine and health product availability in public health facilities.

• KEMSA's order fill rate jumped from 40% to over 90%.
• The key organization involved is KEMSA, with its CEO Dr Waqo Ejersa outlining reforms.
• The turnaround was achieved by redesigning its approach around demand, efficiency, predictability, technology, and data, rather than just increasing supply purchases.

First Lady Rachel Ruto lauded Kenya's commitment to reducing maternal and newborn deaths, highlighting a Ksh12.2 billion push under the new EveryWoman EveryNewbornEverywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan 2026-2028.

• Ksh12.2 billion allocated to maternal and newborn health initiatives.
• Key individuals include First Lady Rachel Ruto and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
• The plan focuses on expanding healthcare coverage, investing in commodities and family planning, and recruiting more nurses and midwives.

The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has achieved a significant turnaround, dramatically increasing its Order Fill Rate from approximately 40% to over 90%, ensuring better availability of health products in public facilities.

• Order Fill Rate improved from about 40% to over 90%.
• Key organizations involved are KEMSA, with insights from its Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ejersa Waqo and remarks by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
• Strategic interventions included stakeholder engagement, reviewing stock management with a "shrink and grow" approach, adopting two-year framework contracts, and embracing technology like the Commodity Early Warning and Alert System (CEWAS).

President William Ruto announced the Kenyan government will negotiate with international pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer to lower the cost of critical medicines. This initiative aims to address the high prices of drugs for chronic and non-communicable diseases, as highlighted by citizens during the Kenya Health Summit.

• The government will meet with Pfizer leadership to discuss reduced prices for life-saving medicines.
• A previous agreement with Roche East Africa reduced the cost of a breast and gastric cancer drug by two-thirds, from KSh120,000 to KSh40,000 per treatment session.
• The government also plans to support local pharmaceutical manufacturers and address packaging material costs to further reduce medicine prices.