Kenya has secured a major breakthrough in reducing the cost of cancer treatment following an agreement between the Government of Kenya and global pharmaceutical company Pfizer, aimed at lowering the cost of selected cancer medicines.
The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) is pleased to announce that the agreement could reduce the cost of treating several cancers by more than seven times, with the cost of some medicines expected to fall from as much as KSh. 1 million to below KSh. 50,000 per treatment cycle.
The development follows discussions between President William Ruto and Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla during their meeting at State House, Nairobi.
The agreement covers medicines used in the treatment of breast, stomach, colorectal, lung, prostate and oesophageal cancers, as well as leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
“Today, Kenya has made a breakthrough in the treatment of several cancers,” President Ruto said.
The arrangement brings together Pfizer and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) under Pfizer’s Accord for a Healthier World, a global initiative through which the company provides medicines to lower-income countries on a not-for-profit basis. Kenya joined the Accord in June 2025.
The significant reduction in medicine costs is expected to improve access to cancer treatment and ease the financial burden faced by patients and their families. According to the President, the lower prices will enable the Social Health Authority (SHA) KSh. 800,000 cancer package to fully cover treatment, substantially reducing the need for additional out-of-pocket payments.
The agreement will also provide Kenya with access to newer cancer therapies, helping address delays that patients have historically experienced in accessing innovative and potentially life-saving treatments.
In addition, Pfizer is expected to make relevant technologies and newer medicines available to support local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa, contributing to efforts to strengthen the continent’s capacity to produce essential medical commodities.
This development comes at a critical time as cancer continues to pose a major public health challenge in Kenya. The high cost of diagnosis and treatment has for years placed a significant financial burden on patients and families, with some patients unable to complete their prescribed treatment.
The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) welcomes this landmark development as an important step towards advancing equitable access to quality, affordable and timely cancer care. The partnership reinforces Kenya’s commitment to reducing the financial barriers to cancer treatment and strengthening the country’s broader cancer control efforts.
Towards a Cancer-Free Nation.
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