Ruto Announces Pfizer Deal to Cut Cancer Treatment Costs in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has announced a new agreement between the Kenyan government and pharmaceutical giant Pfizer that is expected to significantly reduce the cost of treating several cancers, with some medicines set to fall from as much as Ksh.1 million to below Ksh.50,000 per treatment cycle.

Ruto made the announcement on Monday after hosting Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla at State House, Nairobi, describing the agreement as a major breakthrough for cancer treatment in Kenya.

“Today, Kenya has made a major breakthrough in the treatment of several cancers,” the President said.

The arrangement involves Pfizer and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) under Pfizer's Accord for a Healthier World, a global initiative through which the pharmaceutical company supplies medicines to lower-income countries on a not-for-profit basis. Kenya joined the programme in June last year.

Cancer Treatment Costs Set for Major Reduction

According to President Ruto, the agreement covers medicines used in the treatment of breast, stomach, colon, lung, prostate and oesophageal cancers, as well as leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

The substantial reduction in medicine prices is expected to ease one of the biggest barriers facing cancer patients in Kenya, where the high cost of treatment has forced many families to take on significant debt or discontinue treatment altogether.

Ruto said the lower prices would also allow the Social Health Authority (SHA) cancer treatment package, valued at Ksh.800,000, to cover treatment costs more comprehensively.

The President said patients who previously had to make additional payments to meet the cost of medicines could now receive treatment without having to make such top-ups.

Kenya to Gain Faster Access to New Cancer Therapies

Beyond reducing prices, the agreement is also expected to improve Kenya's access to newer cancer treatments.

Ruto said Kenyan patients would gain access to breakthrough therapies without having to wait for the lengthy period that has historically delayed the availability of newer medicines in the country.

He noted that cancer patients in Kenya currently face waits of up to 10 years before some breakthrough treatments become available locally.

The faster introduction of newer therapies could strengthen the country's cancer treatment capacity and give patients access to medicines that are already being used in other parts of the world.

Push for Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

The agreement also comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing on the African continent.

President Ruto, who serves as the African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing of Medical Commodities, said Pfizer would make relevant technologies and newer medicines available to support pharmaceutical production in Africa.

The move could contribute to efforts to reduce the continent's dependence on imported medicines while strengthening local capacity to manufacture essential medical commodities.

High Cost of Cancer Care Remains a Major Challenge

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Kenya, while the financial burden associated with diagnosis and treatment continues to affect thousands of households.

For many patients, treatment involves repeated cycles of expensive medicines, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests and other medical services. The cumulative cost can place considerable pressure on families, particularly when treatment extends over several months.

The government hopes that the Pfizer agreement will help address the cost of medicines while expanding access to more advanced cancer therapies.

Officials Attend State House Meeting

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla was accompanied to State House by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Susan M. Burns, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and other Pfizer officials.

The agreement marks a significant step in Kenya's efforts to make cancer treatment more affordable and expand access to modern therapies.

If implemented as announced, the reductions could substantially change the economics of cancer care for Kenyan patients, particularly those who have previously been unable to complete treatment because of the high cost of medicines.