Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has revealed that one of the importers of the Sputnik V vaccine is keen on re-exporting the vaccine.
This is following the decision by the Kenyan government to ban the importation of the coronavirus vaccines through private entities.
PPB’s Deputy Director in charge of Inspectorate on Surveillance and Enforcement, Dominic Kariuki told the Senate Standing Committee on Health that the private firm had written to them seeking to re-export the vaccine.
“PPB is in receipt of a notice of intent to re-export of the vaccine from Kenya but the company is in the process of officially applying but the board has received the letter intently. They have to apply, there is a procedure for exportation of medicines,” said Kariuki.
The Board had licensed two firms in March to distribute Sputnik V in Kenya.
The firm is mulling to export at least 73,946 Sputnik V vaccines following a ban imposed by the government on the importation and distribution of coronavirus vaccines in Kenya through private entities.
The ban was imposed on April 2 by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, after days of controversy over the status of the Sputnik V vaccine.
“The government is effective today closing the window of private sector importation, distribution and administration of vaccines until such a time when it is confident that there is greater transparency and accountability in the entire process,” said Kagwe.
During a virtual meeting with the Senate Committee on Health on Thursday, Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr. Rashid Aman said the importation of the vaccine into the country was contrary to the requirements of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB).
“The committee received reports that the appointed distributors were engaged in the marketing of the vaccine in contravention of the guidelines issued by the Pharmacy and poisons board,” Dr. Aman said on Thursday.
Sputnik V controversy
He further said the jab was administered in the facilities without proper accreditation following report that the accredited distributors engaged in the marketing Sputnik without adhering to PPB guidelines.
CAS Aman said the government was keen to ensure there was no importation of counterfeit vaccines in the country, at a time when the country is struggling to contain the virus.
“The committee noted that the gains made in the fight against the pandemic will be lost in the event that counterfeit vaccines gain entrance into Kenya,” Dr. Aman added.
Health Acting Director-General, Dr. Patrick Amoth who also appeared before the committee said the entity which administered the jabs had been directed to reserve second doses for those who had received the first dose.
So far, only 527 doses had been utilized by the time government announced the ban.
A single shot of the Russian-manufactured vaccine was being sold at Ksh.7,700 ($70.30)
The cost was seen to be well out of reach for millions of Kenyans who live below poverty line.
Kenya has so far acquired more than 1.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is already being administered to people around the country free of charge.
According to the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus, 378,363 people in Kenya had received the AstraZeneca vaccine as at April 8, 2021.
104,726 of the jab’s recipients are health workers. 190,396 are members of the public including individuals aged 58 years and above.
