This archive report was first published on 20 December 2019.
On 16th December 2019, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) launched a crackdown on non-compliant chemists in Nyanza region, resulting in the closure of 102 illegal outlets.
During the operation, 56 people were arrested and their stocks seized. Dr. Dominic Kariuki, head of good distribution practices and ports of entry at the board, stated that suspected government drugs were seized at a private chemist in Awasi town.
Dr. Kariuki added that all 56 suspects arrested in the swoop have been arraigned in court and charged. The details of the non-compliant chemists have been shared with the Regional Police Commander for enforcement of closure.
Speaking to the media in Kisumu on Friday, Dr. Kariuki expressed concern over the rising number of unmarked chemists in the area, urging members of the public to shun them and report the same for action to be taken.
He also warned licensed wholesalers of drugs who supply to the illegal chemists, stating that they have been put on notice. Some licensed chemists have been left to be run by unqualified personnel, and the owners have been summoned for disciplinary action.
The board has launched guidelines for good distribution practices, guidelines for the transportation of pharmaceuticals, and guidelines for safe disposal of pharmaceutical waste.
Pharmacies and hospitals with expired drugs have been directed to quarantine them and contact the board for safe disposal. The board has also distributed minilabs to its regional offices for random sampling and testing of medicines in the market to ensure drugs in the market are of good quality.
