Nairobi, Kenya – In a continued commitment to stakeholder engagement and promoting safe pharmaceutical practices, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) today held a strategic meeting with Nairobi County Commissioner Mr. David Wanyonyi on 25th November 2024. The session aimed to strengthen collaboration on enforcement and surveillance of illegal pharmaceutical activities, particularly in informal settlements.

Attended by 12 Deputy County Commissioners from Nairobi County, the meeting addressed key challenges faced during crackdowns on unauthorized pharmaceutical practices.

Mr. Wanyonyi reaffirmed the government’s adoption of a multi-agency approach to tackle public health concerns and called on officials to promptly report illegal pharmaceutical activities in their jurisdictions to PPB for action.

Speaking on behalf of the PPB Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Julius Kaluai emphasized the Board’s commitment to ensuring public health safety by guaranteeing access to quality, safe, and effective health products. He underscored the critical role of collaboration in regulatory compliance, noting that past surveillance efforts had significantly reduced noncompliant pharmaceutical outlets.

Mr. Kaluai highlighted the need for public awareness on the dangers of unauthorized pharmaceutical practices and urged citizens to seek medical services only from qualified professionals. He also called on the National Government Administration officers (NGAOs) to enforce permanent closures of noncompliant premises, ensure proper disposal of expired medicines, and prosecute offenders to deter future violations.

The PPB remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard public health by combating substandard pharmaceutical products and unauthorized operations in the sector.