Kenya Emerging as Hub for Clinical Research in Africa
1. 27/08/2016 Destination Kenya: A new horizon for Conducting Clinical Research Clinical Trials Arena
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Operations
Destination Kenya: A new horizon for
Conducting Clinical Research
12:16, August 18 2016
Gaurav Puppalwar, Head Medical A儞Ⴈairs – Emerging Markets,
Wockhardt Limited, explores Kenya as a developing hub for clinical
research in Africa
Africa is one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions. What’s more, the continent is emerging as an important
target for clinical research, although developing countries are usually under-represented due to the lack of
commercial viability and trained researchers. With the descent of traditional pharmaceutical markets, Africa is one
such destination which has developed interest for most pharmaceutical companies of all sizes.
One of the regions in Africa that is making remarkable progress with investments in institutions, integration, and
infrastructure is the East African Community (EAC). The EAC is a regional intergovernmental organisation of the
Republics of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. Kenya is
considered the reference standard being the largest economy in the region and is much more dynamic than those of
other member countries. This makes Kenya the most sought after destination for generating data in the African
population as far as ease and standards of conducting clinical research are concerned.
The National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) oversees and coordinates all research activities in Kenya and
functions as the advisory to government in all matters related to research. The Expert Committee on Clinical Trials
(ECCT), organized by the drug regulatory body – Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), has developed guidelines to steer
through the clinical trial authorization process in Kenya. Approval from the ECCT is not required for drugs already
registered in Kenya with approval from the ethical review committee of each respective institution suᅚ�cient.
The unique framework of the clinical research approval system in Kenya is such that a foreign sponsor has to be
aᅚ�liated with either of the following institutes:
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI),
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH),
Eldoret Referral Hospital, and/or Aga Khan Hospital
KEMRI, KNH and Eldoret referral hospital are the national functionaries, while Aga Khan Hospital is a not-for-pro᥄t
private chain of hospitals. This is the testimony to the prominence of private as well as public sector in health care
infrastructure.
There is a distinct advantage in conducting clinical research in aᅚ�liation with KEMRI. KEMRI is a national body
dedicated for research activities in Kenya. It has its centres present across Kenya. It is much easier for a government
organization, like KEMRI, to get connected with not only other government health care bodies but also associate with
private health institutions for conducting any multisite/multicentric study in Kenya. The regional collaboration of
KEMRI with various research facilities in neighbouring countries facilitates for faster coordination in multi-country trials.
Internationally, KEMRI also collaborates with various organisations, such as:
The World Health Organization (WHO),
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
The Walter Reed Army Institute of Medical Research,
Welcome Trust-UK,
United States Agency for International Development (USAID),
British Medical Research Council,
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