The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued a stern warning to manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and supermarkets against dealing in unregistered, falsified, counterfeit, or recalled health products.
In a notice issued by the board's acting CEO, Ahmed Mohamed, on Friday, PPB warned that it would take stern action against businesses found violating the guidelines over the festive period, in a bid to ensure that only safe, effective, and quality health products are sold to the public.
''Any person or entity found importing, stocking, distributing, selling, or using illegal medicines risks criminal prosecution, including pharmacists, pharmaceutical technologists, managers, directors, and owners of establishments,'' the notice read in part.
“No unregistered, falsified, counterfeit, or recalled HPT shall be imported, stocked, distributed, sold, or used within the Republic of Kenya.”
At the same time, the board warned that those found selling the meds illegally would likely face licence suspension or revocation, and closure of the premises in severe cases.
According to the notice, supermarkets, cosmetic shops, general retailers and online sellers are not authorised to stock or sell prescription-only medicines, and breaches of this rule will result in regulatory sanctions.
Meanwhile, the PPB urged Kenyans to report any businesses, including pharmacies, selling counterfeit products to them so that action can be taken.
“You need not be certain, just be suspicious. Report any suspected unregistered, falsified, counterfeit medicine, or adverse drug reaction to the Board through our portal and toll numbers.”
The warning comes at a time when medics and the government have expressed concern over the rise of a surge in antimicrobial resistance, often due to self-diagnosis with over-the-counter purchases.
In August this year, at a time when there was a surge in cases of cold-related infections, such as flu, across the country, the board cautioned Kenyans against using antibiotics to treat the illness.
It noted that antibiotics only treat bacterial infections and not the flu, which is caused by a virus.
“Got a cold or flu? No antibiotic is needed. Antibiotics do not work against viruses. Let us use them responsibly,” the pharmacy board warned Kenyans.
While calling for the responsible use of antibiotics by members of the public, PPB challenged Kenyans suffering from the flu to instead use natural remedies to cure the illness.
