Are you paying for the brand or the cure? A new public awareness campaign by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) is urging Kenyans to embrace generic medicines, revealing that they are, on average, 80% cheaper than their branded counterparts while being equally effective.

In a country where out-of-pocket health expenditure drives thousands into poverty annually, the shift to generics could save households billions. "The molecule is the same," explained Dr. Fred Siyoi, PPB CEO. "Whether it is Panadol or generic Paracetamol, the active ingredient doing the work is identical. The only difference is the marketing budget behind the brand name."

Breaking the Stigma

The campaign aims to fight the perception that "cheap is fake." Many patients insist on expensive branded drugs, believing generics are inferior or counterfeit. This misconception is often fueled by pharmacists who earn higher margins on branded products.

• The Savings: Treating hypertension with a branded drug can cost Sh5,000 a month. With a generic, that cost drops to Sh800. For chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer, the savings are life-saving.
• Policy Shift: The Ministry of Health is now mandating that doctors prescribe by chemical name (e.g., "Atorvastatin") rather than brand name, empowering patients to choose the most affordable option at the pharmacy counter. It is a small change with massive financial implications for the common mwananchi.