PRESS STATEMENT_NORTH EASTERN KENYA & NAIROBI REGION CRACKDOWN – April 16, 2022
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (hereinafter ‘the Board’) is National Drug Regulatory Authority in the Ministry of Health, established under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act Cap 244 Laws of Kenya to regulate the practice of pharmacy and ensure safety, quality and efficacy of Medical Products and Health Technologies.
The joint pharmaceutical regulatory operation aims at the following;
- To carry out stakeholder engagement and sensitization on PPB mandate focusing on the key players within North Eastern region among them; Police, Imams, county governments, county assemblies, professional bodies, and the public. The sensitization program further aims at banishing the emerging trend of abuse and misuse of controlled and prescription medicines especially by Khat users to achieve a “Kabarai impact”
- Audit of the controlled medicines and prescription medicine documentation in line with the Pharmacy regulations.
- Surveillance and enforcement of Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) Good Distribution Practices.
The Board, through the Directorate of Health Products and Technologies via the division of Enforcement and Surveillance in it’s obligatory effort to subdue illegitimate pharmaceutical practices in the country is partnering with the National Police service to conduct a joint pharmaceutical regulatory operation in North Eastern Kenya and Nairobi region.
• Surveillance along the Ethiopia and Somalia borders to combat suspected smuggling of Heath Products and technologies. Of key concern is the Mandera and Moyale border points.
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The regulatory operation within Nairobi region is part of the affirmative effort to establish a sustainable regulatory impact within the city. Illegal pharmaceutical practitioners are placed under a statutory notice that the board shall pursue them. |
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The Board has noted that most unregelated chemists within North Eastern region operate while disguised as clinics. They are mainly owned and managed by healthcare workers within the county government. Such officers shall be sanctioned through the respective county governments to procure valid practice licenses and to regularize their private practice in line with Good Distribution Practices for pharmaceuticals.s On the same breath, key monitoring and scrutiny is being carried out within Dadaab refugee camp to identify and avert any pharmaceutical malpractices and illegalities within the camp. At least forty (40) persons have so far been placed under arrest and registered for prosecution in various courts within North Eastern and Nairobi regions in the operation that commenced on 10th April 2022. Some of the charges preferred to those found in violation of cap 244 includes; Possession of part I poisons while not being an authorized seller of poisons contrary to section 26(1)(b) as read with section 26(2) of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Cap. 244 laws of kenya. ▪ Carrying on the business of a pharmacist in premises not registered by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board contrary to section 23(1) as read with section 23(6) of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Cap. 244 laws of kenya. ▪ Carrying on the business of a pharmaceutical technologist in premises not registered by the Pharmacy and Poisons board contrary to section 23(1a) as read with section 23(6) of the Pharmacy and Poisons act, cap. 244 laws of kenya. |
- ▪ Possession of part I poisons in an unregistered premises contrary to section 26(1)(b) as read with section 26(2) of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Cap. 244 laws of kenya.
- ▪ Operating the business of a pharmacist without the presence of a registered pharmacist in the premises where such business is being carried out contrary to section 20(1b) as read with section 20(2) of the pharmacy and poisons act, Cap. 244 laws of kenya
- ▪ Carrying on the business of a pharmacist while not registered as a pharmacist by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board contrary to section 19(1)(a) as read with section 19(2) of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Cap. 244 laws of kenya.
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The Board seeks the support of the public, national Police Service and the National Government administrative organs especially the local chiefs for monitoring and enforcement of closure notices issued. |
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Further, the Board seeks partnership with the professional bodies and healthcare workers following numerous adverse drug reactions and suspected poor quality Health Products and Technologies reported in the within Nort Eastern Region. The Pharmacovigilance related issues can be reported viregulatory@pharmacyboardkenya.org or pv@pharmacyboardkenya.org. he Board wishes to further retaliate to the residents of North Eastern region that the process of Pharmaceutical Premises Licensing is online and plans to operationalize the PPB office in Garissa are underway. Clients can reach the Regional Regulatory Coordinator, Omar Sheikh Alare on 0711584408 at somar@pharmacyboardkenya.org The public and private healthcare facilities handling pharmaceuticals are notified to apply online for disposal of any pharmaceutical waste that they may have or get in touch with PPB regional officers. Kaluai Julius 16th April 2022 |
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