The Ministry of Health in Kenya has issued a severe warning against the misuse and illegal sale of the "blue pill" (sildenafil), citing critical health risks such as heart attacks and strokes. This prescription-only medicine is being widely sold without proper authorization, leading to dangerous self-medication practices.

• Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni emphasized that sildenafil is a prescription-only drug for erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
• The misuse, especially in combination with other medications, can cause dangerous interactions and life-threatening events.
• The Ministry of Health is implementing regulatory measures, including monitoring wholesaler sales and auditing pharmacies, to control unlawful dispensing.
• The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) links "sudden deaths" to sildenafil misuse, particularly among individuals with undiagnosed heart conditions, compounded by counterfeit versions containing dangerously high doses.