2 Rape Drugs Pharmacists Are Selling to Criminals

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has warned that pharmacists in Nairobi and Mombasa have been colluding with criminals by selling rape drugs.

The Drug Regulatory Authority has identified Rohypnol - a colourless and odourless pill - as one of the rape drugs that the pharmacists are selling to criminals.

The drug known in the streets as bugizi is mixed with a flavoured drink or alcohol and on consumption affects the central nervous system creating a drunken feeling.

[caption caption="An isolated street at night"][/caption]

The victims of the hypnotic depressant experience blackouts, disorientation and memory lapse hence they may not recall events relating to the attack.

In Kenya, the prescription drug is medically used to treat insomnia or as a pre-anaesthetic but Rohypnol is illegal in some countries including the US.

Another date-rape drug sold by the unlicensed pharmacists to the criminals is diazepam tablets popularly known as 'C5'.

On prescription, diazepam is used in the treatment of anxiety and depression and makes users feel "there is no care in the world".

Criminals take advantage of the euphoric effects triggered by the drug and PPB head of crime investigation and enforcement unit Dennis Otieno has cautioned of its increased usage.

"These drugs have become a big part of the crime in Mombasa. Youth as young as 12 are engaging in mugging and robbery," Otieno noted.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has shut down over 900 illegal pharmacies since 2016 across the country with the Regulatory Authority in the past cautioning licensed pharmacists to adhere to the law when dealing with Codeine-containing syrups and other medicinal products.

[caption caption="Diazepam - a prescription drug"][/caption]

"We have instructed distributors of narcotics and psychotropic substances to provide distribution and returns of the said drugs to the PPB offices. All quantities must have references that can be used in inspections and audits." PPB head of inspection Jacinta Wasike stated. 

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