The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) is calling for stricter checks in pharmacies after a viral video showed a mother accusing a pharmacy worker of giving her the wrong medication for her child.
In a statement dated February 27, the society noted that the viral incident reveals serious safety gaps in the handling and verification of prescriptions.
PSK also emphasised that patient safety is paramount and that any error involving incorrect formulation or route of administration is a serious concern requiring urgent review.
Viral Video Shows Dangerous Mix‑Up
The incident came to light after a video posted on February 27 showed an upset mother confronting a staff member at Eldobase Chemists Ltd in Kitale.
The mother explains that instead of receiving the eye drops prescribed for her baby, she was given acyclovir cream, a medication used for skin infections.
She says she unknowingly applied the cream to her baby’s eyes five times a day for two days, fearing the mistake could cause permanent eye damage.
In the video, the pharmacy worker was unsettled and repeatedly apologised. At one point, she says the error “was not intentional”, adding that her “mind was on skin” medicine when she gave out the drugs.
The mother of the child angrily told the attendant that it was a big mistake, and she could sue her, questioning her level of professionalism.
PSK Distance From ‘Pharmacist’
PSK issued a statement distancing the pharmacy profession from the incident. The organisation clarified that the woman in the video is not a licensed pharmacist and is not a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya, noting that such misunderstandings are common and contribute to untrained workers being blamed or mistakenly trusted as professionals.
The society also stressed that the mix‑up was extremely dangerous because medicines meant for the eyes are different from those meant for the skin, explaining that “medicines intended for ophthalmic use are distinct from dermatological formulations”, adding that proper prescription checks are essential to prevent such mistakes.
The organization also warned against calling every person working in a pharmacy a pharmacist.
“It is important to correct public and media mischaracterisation that refers to every person working in a pharmacy setting as a ‘Pharmacist.”
“Such mischaracterisation is inaccurate and unfairly associates the Pharmacist with incidents without verification.”
PSK further noted that under Kenya’s regulatory system, both pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists operate in licensed premises, and the incident demonstrates why compliance with licensing rules must be enforced.
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Society Calls for Investigation and Stronger Oversight
Following the incident, PSK asked the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) to carry out a full investigation into the chemist’s licensing status and to review whether proper safety procedures were followed, mentioning that the case shows why Kenya needs better prescription-verification systems and stronger oversight of pharmacies.
In its statement, the society noted that public safety must come first and urged regulatory bodies to act decisively.
“This matter should be approached as a patient safety issue. It presents an opportunity to strengthen systems, improve oversight, and enhance public trust in pharmaceutical care,” PSK stated.
PSK also stated that the public should be reassured that such incidents are not reflective of the standard of pharmaceutical practice in Kenya and that appropriate regulatory mechanisms are in place to address confirmed breaches.
The society added that proper review and verification of medicines, including the correct route of administration, are core requirements in safe dispensing and must be strengthened nationwide.
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