Pharmacy Board Vows to Eradicate Quacks in the Pharmaceutical Business
The Pharmacy and Poisons Boards (PBB) is urging pharmaceutical personnel to familiarize themselves with the guidelines and new laws regarding the selling of medicine to avoid penalties.
The board has complained of several cases of pharmacies being operated without the presence of a registered pharmacist in the premises where the business is carried out.
Speaking during a media briefing session on crackdown of illicit drugs and unlicensed pharmacies, Senior Inspector of Drugs Julius Kaluai said the PPB drug inspectors managed to seize 100 cartons of medicines from those operating without licenses.
Kaluai said a total of 95 pharmaceutical premises habe been issued with closure notices and their details will be shared to other government administrative agencies for joint enforcement of closure for operating illegally in the market in disregsrd of government guidelines.
He noted that a total of 70 people have been placed under arrest and registered for prosecution in various courts within Coast Region.
Some of the charges that those found operating illegal pharmacies were charged with include but not limited to; possession of part 1 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 pharmaceutical technologist in premises not registered by the Pharmacy and Poisons Boards, operation of the business by quacks, among others.
He adviced the public to interact with the Board through the website and familiarize themselves with the law before opening pharmacy outlets. The fine now is at a maximum of 1million per count., he warned.
During the crackdown PPB officials obtained invoices, receipts and other documents from the illegal premises that shall aid in identifying licensed wholesalers of pharmaceuticals who are supplying illegal premises. He noted that the owners of those wholesalers will be investigated, prosecuted and their licenses revoked.
At the same time several absentee superintendents were also identified and shall be prosecuted and have their premises licenses revoked.
“We have a system to deal with the wholesalers who supply drugs to these quacks, we are going to summon them for supporting the running of illegal businesses,” he added.
He reiterated that all licensed pharmaceutical practitioners are aware that their medical reps permits, annual practice licenses, certificate for registration of premises and wholesaler dealer’s licenses expire on 31st December of every year and no extension for the same shall provided.
“This is only for the professionals, to those who leave unqualified people to operate the pharmacy business, be warned, we are moving forward to ensure the country is at 2% of a market that is quack free,” he said and noted that, in a case where an unqualified person is arrested at a licensed business, the owner who is a professional will face disciplinary measures.
For the disposal of any pharmaceutical waste, both public and private healthcare have been asked to apply online or get in touch with PPB headquarters and regional offices.
On his part the Head of Coast Region Dr. Agoro Paddy urged the pharmaceutical personnel to manage properly controlled medicine arguing that cases of people being spiked up is on the rise in the Coast region.
Paddy attributed this rise to the drugs falling in the hands of quacks who later on prescribe it anyhow to the wrong patients.
“We have set guidelines where some of the prescription medicines, like blue pills, need to be recorded on how they are issued to patients to avoid abuse, but this is only possible if the medicine is handled by an expert,” he said.