MPPM Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing MPPM Theses and Dissertations by Author "Arunga, N. S."

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    The Legal framework for accessing controlled medicines for pain management in Kenya: a case study of medical cannabis
    (Strathmore University, 2025) Arunga, N. S.
    The study sought to evaluate the ability of the legislative framework for controlled medicines to effectively structure the process of implementation of access to medical cannabis (MC) for pain management in Kenya. Using Mazmanian and Sabatier's framework, it analyzed the statutory variables within the legislation governing controlled medicines. Through the lens of the Policy Diffusion Theory, the study identified barriers in implementing the policy-legal framework and investigated stakeholder involvement in regulatory framework development and implementation. The main research objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the legislative framework in facilitating access to MC for pain management in Kenya. The specific objectives were: (1) to evaluate the existing legal framework governing access to MC for pain management in Kenya; (2) to investigate the involvement of stakeholders in shaping and executing the regulatory framework for access to MC as an alternative for pain management; and (3) to identify the barriers to implementation of the policy and legal framework for accessing MC for pain management. Recommendations were then formulated to enhance the policy, legal, and regulatory framework for MC access, with a focus solely on the policy-legal framework, excluding social and scientific considerations and non-medical uses of cannabis. The study utilized a qualitative research methodology, featuring key informant interviews with policymakers, the regulatory authority, healthcare providers, and patient advocates. The findings revealed significant gaps and contradictions between science and Kenya's current legal framework, which provided for medical use as an exception for the use of cannabis; however, this provision had not been operationalized in policy, law, regulations and practice. Looking through the lens of the Mazmanian and Sabatier's framework, it was evident that lack of clarity in the legal provisions and lack of regulations for the implementation of licit use of medical cannabis was a legal barrier that impeded access to MC, pointing to a failure of the statute to structure the implementation process coherently. Furthermore, lack of stakeholder awareness and inconsistent implementation of relevant policies hindered access. However, the study highlighted openness among some stakeholders to explore MC based on research evidence. This was, however, impeded by the lack of a structured proactive mode of stakeholder involvement. Based on the findings, recommendations included legislative reforms to clearly structure access to MC for pain management, developing comprehensive MC policies through structured stakeholder engagement, implementing evidence-based guidelines, and healthcare provider training on MC, along with launching public awareness campaigns to destigmatize MC. The findings aimed to guide policymakers and regulators in refining the regulatory framework and potentially influencing legislative amendments to improve responsible MC access for pain management while preventing abuse and diversion, using policy diffusion to leverage on the experience of other countries that have successfully implemented access to MC.