A joint pharmaceutical regulatory operation with the National Police Service (NPS) arrested 72 offenders in a countrywide bust, seizing assorted Medical Products and Technologies (HPTs) worth Ksh.16 million.
The operation that commenced on 5th June 2022 covered Upper Eastern region, Coast region, Lower Eastern region, and Kiambu county.
Kaluai Julius who is the Head of the Good Distribution Practices at Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) said the objective of the exercise is to enforce closure of non-compliant pharmaceutical premises which were previously closed down and augment the routine inspections carried out through the PPB regional offices.
Kaluai elaborated that the operation is also targeting licensed pharmacies to audit the handling of controlled medicines and prescription medicines in line with the Pharmacy regulations.
“Our focus is to thwart irregular pharmaceutical practices in the identified areas and enforce closure of non-compliant pharmaceutical premises which were previously closed down,” he said.
He further noted that the major outcome of the operation is to enhance Surveillance and Enforcement of Good Distribution Practices for HPTs in the country, as well as to carry out stakeholder engagement and sensitization on PPB mandate focusing on the key players involved in the criminal justice systems.
According to Kaluai, chemists bearing no names on display is a key pointer to an illegal pharmaceutical outlets.
“We are advising the public to verify the registration details of pharmacy practitioners from the PPB website and also to report unregistered practitioners through info@pharmacyboardkenya.org or call 0702475801,” he noted.
The Board also appealed to all the stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the amended guidelines for Good Distribution practices for pharmaceuticals which are available in their PPB website.
It observed that some premises branding does not match the name as per the licenses.
“The practitioners are advised to rebrand the premises so that the name strictly matches the approved name as per the license,” Kaluai advised.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) is a National Drug Regulatory Authority in the Ministry of Health, established under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act Cap 244 Laws of Kenya to regulate the practice of pharmacy and ensure safety, quality and efficacy of Medical Products and Health Technologies.
