As the race to find drugs and medicines to cure and prevent COVID-19 reaches the crescendo, many countries including Kenya are now participating in various human clinical trials for among other experimental drugs Remdesivir, chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir + ritonavir, or with Interferonbeta. These drugs have not been approved for public use and can only be used in the context of the clinical trials in many countries. In this context, the role of drug regulation is going to be extremely important especially at the national level.

As we approach the end of April, Kenya could be host to about 500 of the probable 30,000 COVID-19 positive cases in Africa. The country has instituted drastic containment measures -nationwide curfews and complete lock down of suspected hot spot locations: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale. The curfews and lock downs have pushed businesses (hotels, factories, offices, transport, markets etc), institutions- schools, churches and mosques; and informal occupations including fishing, trading, casual work and crafts to complete stagnation and closure.