Haleon launches Pain Management Institute in Kenya to transform pain care

KENYA— Haleon, a global leader in consumer health, has announced the launch of its Pain Management Institute (HPMI) in Kenya, marking a significant step toward improving how pain is understood and treated in the region.

This move comes just a few months after British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) rebranded its Kenyan subsidiary as Haleon Kenya Limited on March 14, 2025.

The rebranding reflects a strategic shift from direct commercial operations to a distributor-led model for prescription medicines in Kenya.

The new Pain Management Institute aims to take a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to pain care by bringing together experts from various fields.

Their goal is to better understand the causes of pain and develop effective solutions that address not only the physical but also the emotional and social aspects of pain.

Mark Pfister, Haleon’s General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized that pain is rarely just a physical issue.

He explained that many people living with pain often feel isolated, misunderstood, and unheard.

With about one-third of the world’s population experiencing pain every day, Pfister stressed the urgent need for new strategies that increase awareness and empathy for patients’ experiences.

Kenya, being a key market in Africa, is an important location for the launch of HPMI.

According to Haleon’s 2023 Global Pain Index, which surveyed over 18,000 people across 18 countries—including more than 600 healthcare professionals—the social and emotional toll of pain is increasing.

The survey revealed that pain affects everyone regardless of age, gender, or culture but disproportionately impacts marginalized groups such as women and younger generations like Gen Z.

Pfister highlighted that these groups often suffer more because of societal biases and exclusion.

Given Africa’s youthful population, the findings suggest that many young people, who are vital to the continent’s economic future, will face significant challenges related to pain.

The Institute aims to support Kenya’s healthcare system by building capacity, breaking the stigma around pain, and improving patient outcomes.

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) also face challenges in pain management.

The survey found that 86% of HCPs said patients often feel embarrassed or find it difficult to talk about their pain, making it harder for doctors to assess and treat them properly.

Additionally, 79% of HCPs acknowledged that the true impact of pain on patients’ lives is often underestimated.

The HPMI is committed to empowering an additional 20 million people living with pain by 2030.

Its mission focuses on three key areas: improving patient knowledge and support, advancing scientific research in pain management, and equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary education and tools to deliver better care.

Enid Moraa, Haleon’s Head of Expert for Sub-Saharan Africa, added that pain can be a lonely experience, but no one should face it alone.

She emphasized the Institute’s dedication to ensuring that patients feel heard and supported, and that healthcare providers are better equipped to help.

To celebrate the launch, Haleon hosted a webinar titled “Pain as an Accelerator of Aging,” which explored the causes, management, and emotional effects of chronic pain across different age groups.

This initiative follows the successful introduction of the Pain Management Institute in the UAE, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

Kenya’s chronic pain therapeutics market is growing rapidly, expected to increase from approximately US$52 million in 2022 to about US$89 million by 2030.

This growth reflects rising demand for effective pain relief solutions in the country.

Haleon, known for its commitment to “better everyday health with humanity,” also operates a production facility in Nairobi that manufactures 28 million healthcare products annually, including popular pain relief brands like Panadol and Calpol.

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