From the field.
Research, advocacy and community — written by the people doing the work.
Intellectual Property as a Growth Strategy for Africa’s Life Sciences Industry
Intellectual property is a critical but often overlooked driver of growth in Africa's life sciences industry. Beyond patents, effective IP management helps manufacturers protect innovation, strengthen competitiveness, attract investment, and maximize the value of their products, technologies, and brands. As Africa expands local pharmaceutical manufacturing, building strong IP capabilities will be essential for sustainable growth and innovation.
Kenya’s Legislative Chokehold: Legislating for Relevance or for Service?
Effective governance depends not only on making laws but on knowing when new laws are truly necessary. This article argues that Kenya's growing reliance on legislation to solve policy and administrative challenges has led to unnecessary regulatory expansion and reduced institutional flexibility. Using the proposed Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2026 as a case study, it advocates for a legislative necessity test that prioritizes policy development, regulatory impact assessment, and non-legislative solutions before introducing new Acts of Parliament.
Pharmacy Is More than an Occupation
Pharmacy is evolving beyond its traditional role of dispensing medicines into a profession that drives innovation, policy, public health, and patient-centered care. This article reflects on the need for pharmacists to communicate their value more effectively, embrace collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem, and position the profession as a strategic partner in improving health outcomes. As the pharmaceutical landscape continues to change, the future of pharmacy will depend on leadership, partnership, and a shared commitment to creating lasting value for patients and society.
Securing Continental Access to Life-saving Essential health products (SCALE): The AUDA-NEPAD Game Plan
SCALE is a development-focused framework that strengthens Africa's health product ecosystem by integrating health technology assessment, pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain resilience, workforce development, digital innovation, and advocacy. Building on decades of policy progress, it complements regulatory efforts by creating the conditions necessary for sustainable local production, improved access to essential medicines, and stronger continental health security.
AI In Healthcare: Confidently Wrong
AI is transforming healthcare—but confidence is not the same as accuracy. When AI hallucinates, the risk isn't just misinformation; it can become a patient safety issue. Trust in health AI will depend on transparency, source disclosure, and clear standards. If drugs need evidence labels, shouldn't AI-generated medical advice have them too?