The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has warned qualified pharmaceutical operators against colluding with the quacks.
It comes against the backdrop of an intensified crackdown by PPB to tame irregular pharmaceuticals in the country.
The board raised concerns over the emerging trend of unregulated chemists accessing drugs in their stores from those who are registered, terming it a breach of law.
“That there is a version that is coming up with professionals that these premises are not registered and suppliers cannot supply them, they now work with registered outlets to buy medicine on their behalf,” said PPB’s Senior Inspector of Drugs, Nairobi, Julius Kaluai.
This has seen 49 outlets shut this week, all from informal settlements in Nairobi.
“We have been moving around the country mobilizing inspectors from different regions to support the regions to enforce Cap 244 laws of Kenya in terms of regulation of Pharmacy outlets and people who are purporting to work illegally in pharmaceutical outlets that are either registered or unregistered and also regulating the products that are in the market,” said Kaluai.
The areas found running illegal pharmacies include among others Kawangware, Kibra, Dandora as well as Kariobangi North and South.
Kaluai said 65 people have been arrested and will be prosecuted.
In a crackdown which began on April 24, saw 150 cartons of medicines confiscated by the drug regulator.
The crackdown is expected to end on April 30, 2022.
