118 illegal chemists closed, dozens of assorted medicines seized – KBC

At least 118 pharmacies operating without legitimate permits in Central Kenya have been closed down by authorities.

In the wake of a crackdown on unauthorized pharmaceutical outlets in the region by the Pharmacies and Poisons Board inspectors in conjunction with the Police, a total of 97 people have also been arrested, arraigned in court and charged with various offenses.

The accused persons who pleaded guilty have been given fines of up to Ksh.250,000 or jail time of 18 months.

“The offenses included possession of part 1 poisons, carrying on the business of a pharmacist/pharmaceutical technologist while not registered & carrying the business of a pharmacist/ pharmaceutical technologist in premises not registered contrary to pharmacy and poisons act.” the drug regulatory agency said.

PPB Deputy Director Inspectorate Dr Dominic Kariuki indicated that all the medicines seized during the crackdown have been handed over to the authority for necessary tests to be carried out and for safe disposal.

At the same time, Dr Kariuki disclosed that the agency has distributed minilabs to its regional offices for random sampling and testing of medicines in the market to ensure that medicines in the Kenyan market are of good quality, safe and efficacious.

He says the details of all the non-compliant outlets have been shared with the regional commissioner for enforcement of closure.

Dr Kariuki wants all pharmacy outlets & hospitals with expired drugs to dispose them even as he warned persons and entities keen to engage in the business of pharmacy against proceeding to do so without notifying the board.

He also called on members of the public to use health safety codes displayed in registered pharmacy outlets to verify legality of the premises by send SMS to 21031 which is free of charge.