68 traders arrested in crackdown on illegal pharmaceutical outlets in western
Over 68 illegal pharmacy traders have been arrested and prosecuted, in western region for illegally handling pharmaceuticals.
The operation led by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board Deputy Director of Inspectorate, Dr. Dominic Kariuki seized 133 cartons of assorted medicines and closed down over 114 pharmaceutical outlets. These include some government supplied medicines found in a private chemist at Mayoni market within Kakamega County.
“PPB calls upon the judiciary to dispense deterrent sanctions as provided under the revised pharmacy and poisons Act 2019 to the persons found guilty of contravening the provisions of the Cap 244 of the laws of Kenya,” Dr Kariuki said.
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The Board, through surveillance and intelligence gathering had profiled hot spots within Western region with high levels of non-compliance to Good Distribution Practices of Medical products and health technologies. Western region comprises the counties of Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma and Vihiga. “These were the areas that were targeted for the joint operation by PPB inspectors, national government administrative organs and the police Service began on 17th May 2021. |
| This operation targeted unlicenced premises, pilfered government drugs, illegal medicine hawkers and illegal sale of restricted medicines in the open-air markets, general shops and kiosks within the region. |
| Dr. Kariuki said the enforcement of closure shall be monitored by the Police and the respective offices of County Commissioners and disclosed that registered pharmacists and enrolled pharmaceutical technologists involved in pharmaceutical malpractices have been flagged for disciplinary process at the Board. |
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He urged public and private healthcare facilities and those who handle pharmaceuticals to apply online through website www.pharmacyboardkenya.org for disposal of any pharmaceutical waste that they may have or get in touch with PPB regional officers. “We are also advising to members of public to report any suspected case of quacks operating within their areas as they are a danger to public health,” he noted and informed that Registered pharmacy outlets can be verified by sending the code displayed in the outlets to 21031 and it is free of charge. The Pharmacy and Poisons Board, PPB, is the national medicines regulatory authority whose mandate is to protect the health of the public by regulating the profession of pharmacy and ensuring quality, safety and efficacy of medical products and health technologies. |
