This Kenya Essential Medicines List (KEML) is published in conjunction with the Clinical and Referral Guidelines Volumes I, II and III. Together, they comprise important building blocks in the elaboration of the Kenya Essential Package for Health (KEPH), which is a core strategy for reversing the declining trends in the country’s health status as mooted in the Second National Health Sector Strategic Plan (NHSSP II: 2005-2010). This KEML and associated Guidelines replace the Kenya National Drug List (2003) and Clinical Guidelines (2002).

The KEML represents a major advance in medicines and therapeutics information in Kenya and is a valuable tool for use in the continuing efforts to improve health services provision in the health sector, through the public, private and faith-based providers. In preparing this KEML, it is gratifying to note the successful application of a meticulous, systematic, consensus-achieving and evidence-based process. This has resulted in a highly-relevant and up-to-date reference tool, reflecting current best therapeutic practice and adapted to the prevailing health sector context. The KEML provides a firm base for the attainment of equity and high standards in healthcare. It is intended to guide the development, production, procurement and supply, prescribing, dispensing and use of medicines, as well the development, monitoring and evaluation of strategies aimed at improving access to Essential Medicines in Kenya. The KEML is for use by all disciplines of healthcare workers, general practitioners, specialists and healthcare management personnel as well as students and interns pursuing training in the health professions and sciences. It is also a useful guide for pharmaceutical sector investment and for the elaboration of health insurance schemes and other health financing strategies.

The regular and consistent use of the KEML can be expected to improve healthcare in Kenya and to enhance Appropriate Medicines Use (AMU) by healthcare workers, health managers and the public thereby contributing to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Vision 2030 Goal of “creating an enabling environment for the provision of sustainable quality healthcare that is cost-effective and accessible to all Kenyans”...