Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Albert Bourla with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi on August 31, 2026./PCSPresident William Ruto has announced a major reduction in the cost of cancer medicines following a new agreement between Pfizer and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
Ruto said the deal will cut prices of medicines used to treat several cancers by more than seven times, with some treatments falling from as much as Sh1 million to less than Sh50,000 per cycle.
The agreement, signed under Pfizer’s Accord for a Healthier World initiative, covers medicines used in the treatment of breast, stomach, colon, lung, prostate and oesophageal cancers, as well as leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Cancer remains a major health burden in Kenya, with the high cost of treatment leaving many families struggling financially and some patients unable to complete their care.
“The impact of the agreement between Pfizer and the Kenya Medical Supply Authority (KEMSA) - titled Accord for a Healthier World - will make the Sh800,000 Social Health Authority (SHA) cancer package fully adequate without additional cost to patients,” Ruto said.
“Additionally, Kenya will access newer medicines without the 10-year wait that cancer patients are currently subjected to,” he said.
Ruto described the agreement as a major breakthrough in cancer treatment in Kenya.
“Today, Kenya has made a major breakthrough in the treatment of several cancers following the signing of a consequential agreement with Pfizer,” he said.
He also welcomed Pfizer’s support for local pharmaceutical production in Africa, saying the company was making technologies and newer medicines available to support manufacturing on the continent.
“As the African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing of Medical Commodities, I am proud that Pfizer is making available these technologies and newer medicines for local pharmaceutical production in the continent,” Ruto said.
The President made the announcement after receiving Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla at State House, Nairobi.
Bourla was accompanied by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, US Embassy in Nairobi Charge d’Affaires Susan M Burns, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and Pfizer officials.
Ruto thanked Pfizer for its work in Kenya and said the partnership would support the country’s efforts to strengthen Universal Health Coverage.
“We will continue working together to strengthen our Universal Health Coverage,” he said.
