Government drugs found in private clinic

At least 90 illegal chemists have been closed and 50 people arrested in Rift Valley and parts of Western.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board and National Police Service are carrying out a crackdown to weed out illegal chemists. 

The PPB is mandated to ensure that all Kenyans access quality, safe and efficacious medicines.

So far 70 cartons of medicines have been seized, including government commodities from a private clinic in Nasianda market and Likuyani market, Kakamega county.

“Registered pharmacists and enrolled pharmaceutical technologists involved in pharmaceutical malpractices have been flagged for disciplinary process at the board,” said Dominic Kariuki, deputy director inspectorate and enforcement, on Saturday.

The seized medicines will be analysed and disposed of as per PPB guidelines.

The list of closed premises has been shared with the county administration and the police for enforcement of the closures.

“The authorised wholesale dealers supplying illegal chemists with health products and te4chnologies within the country have also been profiled for investigation and appropriate sanctions undertaken,” Kariuki said.

 “The board appreciates the Judiciary for dispensing deterrent sanctions to pharma crime offenders as provided under the revised pharmacy and Poisons Act 2019 to the persons found guilty of breaching requirements of Cap 244 to ensure preservation of public health.” 

Invoices, receipts and other documents from the illegal premises were carried away to help identify the wholesalers.

Kariuki said the owners of the wholesales will be prosecuted and their licences revoked.

He said public and private healthcare facilities have to apply online for disposal of pharmaceutical waste or get in touch with PPB regional officers.

“Members of the public are advised to use health safety codes displayed in registered pharmacy outlets to verify the legality of the premises by sending an SMS free of charge to 21031.”

All registered chemists are required to display their registration details.

Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya