This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.
On June 13, 2020, a report by BioMed Research International, approved by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Kenyatta University, shed light on the alarming prevalence of counterfeit amoxicillin tablets in Nairobi pharmacies.
Amoxicillin, a widely used antibiotic, is essential for treating various bacterial infections, including pneumonia, ulcers, and gonorrhea. However, the study found that over 30% of the antibiotics stored in Nairobi pharmacies were imported from India and China, with some being of poor quality and poorly produced.
The research, which analyzed samples from 168 out of 177 retail and private hospital pharmacies in Nairobi, revealed that the samples from Nairobi Central had the highest substandard prevalence at 11.3%, followed by Kibra and South C at 7.5%, and Kayole and South B at 3.8%.
Interestingly, the study found that Westlands and Karen sold their counterfeit brands at high costs, while those in Kibra and Kayole sold cheaper brands of the antibiotic.
The authors warned that the counterfeit drugs may cause the body to resist Amoxicillin, hampering treatment of bacterial infections. They emphasized the need for strict regulation to guarantee compliance with good manufacturing practices by pharmaceutical manufacturers.
As the national government continues to grapple with the issue of illicit trade, which resulted in an estimated Ksh 279 million loss per day in 2018, the findings of this study serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in ensuring the quality of antibiotics sold in Nairobi pharmacies.
