The Health Cabinet Secretary has directed the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) to launch a crackdown against individuals supplying substandard medical products across the country.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 26, Duale said that the board should ensure that all substandard, falsified, poor-quality, counterfeit, and unregistered medicines are immediately pulled out of the Kenyan Market.
The Health Board has directed the board to ensure that all individuals supplying these products are apprehended and prosecuted.
The board should seize and destroy the products and also close the premises where they are being distributed, according to the CS.
"Any individuals, premises, establishments, or entities involved in the distribution or sale of these illegal products must be arrested and prosecuted. Action must be taken not only against those in charge of the premises but also against their directors," Duale said.
"You must fully comply with the law and take decisive regulatory action against any individual or entity that endangers the health and safety of Kenyans," he added.
Duale has ordered the reassessment of all medical products in the market to confirm their authenticity.
The CS has further directed the board to also lay out strategies to put an end to the unlawful leasing of licences in the pharmaceutical industry, which he assured will be vital in reinforcing public trust in the country's healthcare system.
"Leasing professional licences to unqualified persons is unlawful and a serious breach of public trust. I therefore direct you to immediately intensify surveillance and stop this practice with immediate effect," Duale said.
"To all inspectors: any compromise, neglect, or failure in your duties will result in administrative, disciplinary, or legal action on an individual basis," he added.
To strengthen the board's regulatory capacity, Duale said that 45 more officers will be hired for the board to address the understaffing gaps.
The staff will be hired through the World Bank-supported Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Project, according to Duale.
"The Pharmacy and Poisons Act and its subsidiary legislation give you a clear mandate and clear powers. I expect you to use them fully—without fear or favour. Regulatory enforcement is not optional," Duale said.
