Pharmacists have called for an investigation into the alleged sale of a date rape drug to students in chemists.
The drug, which treats insomnia and anxiety, should be sold on prescription. It has strong sedative effects and some people report they were robbed or raped after their drinks were spiked with the drug.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya said it condemns any unethical behaviour within the pharmaceutical profession.
Last week, Mombasa County Commissioner Mahmood Noor said they had closed 21 pharmacies for selling the drug – called Rohypnol – to minors without prescription.
PSK president Louis Machogu said any deviation from the pharmaceutical code of practice is not only unethical but also illegal.
“Pharmacists in Kenya are bound by strict regulations and ethical guidelines that prohibit the sale of prescription medications without verification of prescription furthermore to unaccompanied minors,” Machogu said in s statement.
“The Pharmacy and Poisons Board plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with these regulations, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya actively participates in the Enquiries and Disciplinary Committee of the PPB to address any complaints or concerns related to the conduct of pharmacists,” he added.
The PSK urged the public to verify the registration status of pharmacies and pharmacists through the PPB portal. This measure aims to promote trust between pharmacists and the communities they serve.
The society called for a thorough investigation of the facilities accused of selling the medications, particularly to minors. "Appropriate action must be taken against those found to have engaged in such practices," PSK said.
Last month, the PPB warned against a list circulating on social media purported to be of licensed pharmacy outlets in the country.
The regulator in a statement said registration of pharmaceutical outlets is a continuous process with the list of the outlets being updated every minute to reflect the changes.
“The PPB has taken note of an unverified list of pharmaceutical outlets circulating on social media, and wishes to clarify that the registration of outlets is a continuous process,” PPB chief executive officer Fred Siyoi said.
“As such, the list of licensed pharmaceutical outlets is updated on a real-time basis to reflect any decision on approval, suspension, revocation or closure,” he added.
Siyoi said the list of all licensed pharmaceutical outlets is normally issued with a QR code by the board, which allows the public to scan using any smartphone to verify the authenticity of the license.
He said the list of licensed pharmaceutical outlets as of March 11, 2024, had been provided and sorted by county, constituency and ward.
“Further verification can be made by searching the website or scanning the QR code on the license displayed on the outlets,” Siyoi said.
He further noted that the list of licensed outlets is publicly available on the PPB website and reiterated the board’s commitment to protecting the health of the public.
The board’s mission is to ensure the availability of pharmaceutical services in Kenya which satisfy the needs of all for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases using safe, efficacious, high quality and cost-effective pharmaceutical products.
Pursuant to the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, a person cannot operate a pharmacy business in Kenya unless the premises have current approval.
All the holders of financial interest in the pharmacy business are to be registered as pharmacists or enrolled as pharmaceutical technologists.
The board has repeatedly warned wholesalers against selling medicines to unregistered and unlicensed pharmacies.