The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has launched a rigorous inspection and public sensitization campaign in Murang’a County aimed at flushing out unlicensed pharmaceutical outlets and unqualified drug dispensers operating in the region.
PPB Central Region Coordinator Dr. James Njuguna noted that the exercise was part of a broader strategy by the Board to ensure that only trained professionals dispense medicine and in licensed premises.
“The Pharmacy and Poisons Board draws its mandate from the Pharmacy and Poisons Act. Our role is to ensure quality and safe medicines for citizens,” said Dr. Njuguna.
“We also verify if the pharmacists are qualified and trained to operate, and that the premises from which they operate are duly licensed,” he added.
Njuguna said during the week-long campaign that commenced on Tuesday, officers from PPB were not only inspecting pharmacies for compliance but also educating the public on how to identify legitimate facilities and professionals.
“We are sensitizing the public to help them understand what to look out for. Licenses should be displayed prominently, and personnel should have name tags indicating their registration status,” the coordinator added.
The crackdown comes in the wake of rising concerns about the proliferation of illegal chemists and the risks they pose to public health.
“In the past few months, we have arrested about a hundred people operating illegally across the central region. Their cases are at various stages in court, with some already convicted,” He revealed.
Njuguna, who was backed by other officers from PPB to inspect chemists in Murang’a and Maragua towns, warned that any individual found dispensing medication without the required qualifications would be arrested and charged and their premises shut down immediately.
“Those who are found dispensing drugs without qualifications will be arrested and taken to court. Their operations will be terminated, and their shops closed,” he stated.
Njuguna further emphasized the risks associated with purchasing drugs from unauthorized outlets, noting that such drugs may be of poor quality, improperly stored, or dispensed without correct medical guidance.
“The dangers of buying from illegal pharmaceuticals include uncertainty about drug quality and storage. Poor storage can distort the quality of medicine. Additionally, unqualified dispensers may issue wrong prescriptions, leading to drug misuse or harm to the human body,” he cautioned.
He urged residents to be vigilant and report suspicious pharmacies, especially those that remained closed during inspection rounds, a likely indicator of non-compliance.
“If you find a pharmacy closed during our inspection visits, it’s likely they have not complied with our standards. That’s another red flag the public should watch out for,” remarked Njuguna.
The ongoing operation in Murang’a is part of a national effort to streamline pharmaceutical services and protect the public from health risks posed by unlicensed drug sellers.
On Tuesday, two pharmacies, one in Murang’a town and another in Maragua were closed and their owners arrested after they were found operating without valid licenses.
By Bernard Munyao
