Nairobi, March 4 -- Pharmacies are experiencing a shortage of over-the-counter high blood pressure medication, causing financial stress for thousands of patients who are forced to pay more for alternatives to manage their condition.

A spot check has established that drug stores across the country, including online pharmacies, are facing a stock out of Valsartan 160mg tablet (28 tablets) by Novartis-Access, the generic version of Novartis' Diovan for close to three months.

Only one store reported a limited stock of the drug, charging double the usual price. A tablet is selling at Sh180 translating to Sh5,040 for a dose of 28 tablets. Normally, a tablet goes for Sh70, totalling Sh1,960 for the full dose.

Valsartan is an angiotensin II re...