Linking business with development - Pharmaceutical manufacturer's contribution to enhancing access to medicines in Kenya

Abstract

Objective of the Research The aim of this study was to find out how a local quality pharmaceutical manufacturer can contribute to enhancing access to medicines in Kenya and which factors in the company’s operating context affect its potential future contribution.

Methodology This study is best described as an embedded case study that examined both the case company and the company’s operating context. The study was conducted in two stages using qualitative research methods. First, secondary data on the Kenyan development context and on the case company was analyzed in order to form further study questions and assumptions. Then, eleven semi-structured interviews with industry informants and case company representatives were conducted in Kenya in order to gather more information and test the study assumptions.

Results The findings of the study suggest that a quality pharmaceutical manufacturer can contribute to enhancing access to medicines in Kenya through securing supply of essential medicines, through enabling better production quality oversight and through securing price competition. However, the findings of the study indicate that challenges in the company’s operating environment, including lacking regulation enforcement, constrain the company’s possibilities to contribute at present.