The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) of Kenya has released a list of registered pharmaceutical outlets countrywide amid a crackdown to combat illegal pharmaceutical activities.
PPB in a statement on April 12, 2024, announced that it had launched a nationwide operation targeting unregistered entities.
The Board further revealed that it had seized 200 cartons of assorted medicine from 400 premises in the operation.
“Led by the PPB, the operation has conducted inspections at 400 premises and seized 200 cartons of medicines, part of a wider initiative to uphold regulatory standards and safeguard public health,” read part of the statement.
According to the Board, the operation was initiated in response to 25 Presidential Directives, focusing on ensuring compliance with good distribution practices.
At the same time, PPB announced a new way of checking an approved list of registered pharmaceutical outlets in the country.
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The list can be accessed on the Pharmacy and Poisons Board’s website>Licence status.
As of April 12, 2024, the list had 9,600 registered facilities which include hospitals, retail, wholesale and manufacturers.
PPB on medical regulations
PPB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. F.M Siyoi in a statement reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to maintaining industry integrity and citizen well-being.
Dr. Siyoi urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing pharmaceuticals and to only buy from licensed and reputable sources.
He further emphasized the importance of compliance with these regulatory provisions to ensure the highest standards of patient care and safety.
“All registered pharmaceutical practitioners are advised to stay updated with regulatory provisions governing the prescription and dispensing of controlled medicines,” added Dr Siyoi.
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Additionally, healthcare facilities handling pharmaceuticals were reminded to adhere strictly to proper disposal protocols and to report any suspicious activities to the board.
PPB released the list nearly hours after it recalled the Benylin pediatric cough syrup while in a public alert on April 11, 2024.
The board recalled the 100mls cough syrup manufactured by Johnson & Johnson due to quality concerns, further advising all pharmaceutical outlets to halt sale of the product.
This directive came after high levels of diethylene glycol were detected by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria.
According to medical experts, Diethylene glycol is a toxin that can be fatal in humans.
In addition, the toxin causes complications such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, inability to pass urine, altered mental state, headache, and acute kidney injury, which may lead to death.
