Kakamega March 18, 2022  – The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and the National Police service are currently conducting a joint regulatory operation in Western Kenya and Nairobi region.

The regulatory operation aims at executing the warrants of arrest relating to Pharma crimes, enforcement of previously issued closure notices, surveillance and enforcement of adherence to Good Distribution Practices for Health Products and Technologies (HPTs).

The targeted HPT distribution outlets includes illegal chemists, medicine hawkers, clinics, herbal medicine stores and cosmetic shops stocking medicament containing preparations disguised as cosmetics.

Addressing the media Friday in Kakamega during the operation, the Head of Good Distribution Practices, at PPB Julius Kaluai, disclosed that so far 58 people, 40 from Kakamega and 18 from Nairobi have been arrested and registered for prosecution in various courts in the respective regions.

The joint regulatory operation  that commenced on 13th March 2022 has seen a complete seizure of 134 cartons of assorted Medical Products and Health Technologies (HPTs) valued at 5.8 million,  found in the illegal outlets that have violated PPB closure notices among others.

Kaluai noted that the seized medicines will be analyzed and disposed off as guided through the issued court orders and in accordance with the PPB guidelines and operational SOPs on disposal of pharmaceutical waste.

“The board is working closely to ensure that those who are released through police bonds do not shift to other counties and start operating pharmacies,” Kaluai said.

Western Region Head, Dr Onesmus Kilonzo also warned against involvement of children in running pharmacies and against opening outlets that have been issued with closure notices before regularizing them.

He said the region office will follow all the court cases closely to ensure they are concluded.