Updated 1 November 2026
To run a pharmaceutical wholesale or distribution business you need a wholesale pharmacy licence Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) issues as a Wholesale Dealer’s Licence, on top of registering the premises. PPB’s October 2025 guidelines list three charges: a KSh 30,000 wholesale dealer’s licence, a KSh 10,000 premises registration fee and a KSh 5,000 annual practice licence for the superintendent pharmacist. Only a registered pharmacist can hold it (pharmaceutical technologists are not eligible), the premises may not also retail, and the licence expires every 31 December.
Updated 1 November 2026 from the PPB Guidelines for Registration and Licensing of Premises (October 2025) and the PPB pharmacy practice FAQ.
Wholesale pharmacy licence Kenya fees
| Charge | Amount | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale dealer’s licence | KSh 30,000 | Every year (expires 31 December) |
| Premises registration | KSh 10,000 | Once per premises |
| Annual practice licence (superintendent pharmacist) | KSh 5,000 | Every year |
| First-year total | KSh 45,000 |
Source: PPB Guidelines for Registration and Licensing of Premises, section 5.0, and the PPB pharmacy practice FAQ, checked 1 November 2026. PPB notes fees may change. Firms in Special Economic Zones or EPZs may be exempt from premises, wholesale and manufacturing fees, but staff must still pay practice licences.
After year one, the wholesale licence and practice licence (KSh 35,000 together) recur annually. If you also want to bring in branded products from other markets, a licensed wholesaler can apply separately for a certificate of parallel importation.
Key rules for wholesale premises
- Pharmacists only. A pharmaceutical technologist is not eligible for a wholesale dealer’s licence.
- No retail on the same premises. Premises registered for wholesale must be used solely for wholesale.
- One superintendent per premises. Each set of premises must have its own designated superintendent pharmacist.
- GDP standards. Premises must meet the PPB Guidelines on Good Distribution Practices (HPT/ISE/EFS/GUD/019): storage, temperature control, security and records.
- Licence before stocking. PPB says you should apply before fitting and stocking the premises, and it is unlawful to trade while the application is still pending.
Documents PPB asks for
- Business registration certificate (sole proprietor or partnership) or certificate of incorporation (limited company)
- Signed page of the memorandum and articles, or the CR12 from the Registrar of Companies
- Company KRA PIN certificate (company KRA PIN guide)
- Details and practice licence of the superintendent pharmacist
How to get a wholesale pharmacy licence in Kenya
- Pre-registration application on the PPB practice portal (practice.pharmacyboardkenya.org), before fitting out the premises.
- Pre-registration approval. If it meets the threshold, PPB approves the next stage.
- Attach documents and pay; PPB recommends mobile money. Only paid-up applications are reviewed.
- Review and SMS. On approval PPB sends a text telling you to contact the nearest PPB office for inspection.
- Inspection. Inspectors verify your declarations and upload a report with photos.
- Second review and final approval, with notification by SMS and email.
- Download the licence from your portal. PPB issues electronic licences.
If PPB declines, it states the reason and you can respond. Applications not answered within one month are voided. You may appeal under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Cap 244).
Renewal
All PPB licences expire on 31 December. PPB recommends applying 30 days before expiry, through the “Renewal” tab on the portal. Applications more than 30 calendar days after expiry are treated as late and attract penalties. Each renewal is re-evaluated, so keep documents current.
Retail vs wholesale vs online pharmacy
| Type | Who can run it | PPB licence fees |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacy | Pharmacist or pharmaceutical technologist | KSh 10,000 premises + KSh 5,000 practice |
| Wholesale pharmacy | Pharmacist only | KSh 10,000 + KSh 5,000 + KSh 30,000 |
| Online pharmacy | Linked to an existing retail pharmacy | KSh 15,000 online pharmacy licence |
Opening a retail outlet instead? Read how to register a pharmacy in Kenya. To see who you will compete with, see the list of pharmaceutical importers and distributors in Kenya.
Wholesale pharmacy licence Kenya: setting up the premises
PPB’s GDP guidelines drive most of the fit-out cost. A wholesale store must have enough space for the stock categories you plan to hold, durable floors, shelves or pallets, temperature and humidity monitoring, fire extinguishers, and secure storage for controlled medicines. Separate areas for receiving, quarantine, storage and dispatch make inspection easier. Plan a cold room or fridges with alarms if you will stock vaccines, insulin or other cold-chain products.
Records matter as much as the building. Inspectors expect stock cards or a system that tracks batch numbers and expiry dates, supplier and customer licences, and a recall procedure. Buy only from licensed manufacturers or importers and sell only to licensed pharmacies and health facilities. Selling to unlicensed outlets can cost you the wholesale pharmacy licence Kenya regulators issued, and PPB checks this during renewals.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a wholesale pharmacy licence in Kenya?
The wholesale dealer’s licence is KSh 30,000 a year, plus KSh 10,000 once for premises registration and KSh 5,000 a year for the practice licence.
Can a pharmaceutical technologist open a wholesale pharmacy?
No. PPB’s guidelines say pharmaceutical technologists are not eligible for a wholesale dealer’s licence.
Can a wholesale pharmacy also sell retail?
No. Wholesale premises must be used solely for wholesale.
When does the wholesale licence expire?
On 31 December of the year it is issued.
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