British pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is ceasing commercial operations in Kenya but wants consumers to know that it will continue supplying medicines and vaccines through a direct distribution model.
The company says switching to a third-party distribution model will not impact the availability of its products in Kenya.
“From time to time, we look at our business models and ways of working to make sure we can continue to meet patient needs and stay competitive in a dynamic operating environment,” the company said in an email to CGTN Africa. “Our current commercial operations are staffed by skilled professionals dedicated to ensuring our medicines and vaccines are made available to patients who need them, and this decision has not been taken lightly.”
It had been earlier and erroneously reported GSK was closing a manufacturing plant. That is not the case. GSK does not operate a manufacturing facility in Kenya.
GSK demerged its consumer healthcare business in July this year, creating Haleon, a dedicated consumer healthcare business with global brands such as Sensodyne and Panadol. The manufacturing facility in Kenya is a Haleon facility.
GSK’s medicines and vaccines were already being imported.
(This story has been corrected to remove references to a GlaxoSmithKline facility being closed)
