73 illegal pharmacies closed in Nyanza after crackdown.
By Dickson Odhiambo.
February 22, 2019.
73 illegal pharmacies
closed in Nyanza after crackdown.
THE Pharmacy and Poisons Board has closed down a total of 73
pharmacies across Nyanza region following a serious crackdown.
The crackdown has been carried out to augment the routine
inspection that are carried out by the Board’s regional inspectors.
Addressing the press in Kisumu today, the officer in charge
of surveillance, inspectorate and Enforcement at the Pharmacy and Poisons Board
Dr. Dominic Kariuki said the crackdown covered the six counties of Nyanza
region that consist of Kisumu, Nyamira, Kisii, Homa Bay, Migori and Siaya.
Kariuki says 24 cartons of Government drugs have been seized
in two private premises, adding that arrests have been made and arraigned in
court.
“During the exercise, the Government drugs were found in two
private premises which is a medical center and a pharmacy outlet and in the
case of the medical center, 24 cartons of suspected government stores clearly
marked Kemsa/GOK were seized,” Dr. Kariuki says.
He adds that the person who was found operating the chemist
within the medical center was arrested and charged with four counts.
“In the case of the pharmacy outlet where suspected
government drugs were found, the person operating the pharmacy was arrested and
charged with found counts,” Dr. Kariuki adds.
Dr. Kariuki adds that the major concern is however the issue
of absentee superintendents where licensed pharmacy outlets are left in the
hands of unqualified hence putting the lives of Kenyans in danger.
“Those professionals who have been founded engaging in these
malpractice have been summoned for disciplinary action by the disciplinary
committee of Pharmacy and Poisons Board,” Dr. Kariuki further says.
He however adds that the number of illegal pharmacies in
Nyanza region has significantly reduced.
Dr. Kariuki says the board urges members of the public to
use health safety codes normally displayed in registered pharmacies outlets to
verify legality of the premises by sending SMS to 21031 freely.
Kariuki further says all the pharmacies across the county
with expired drugs have been directed to safely quarantine them and get in
touch with the regional inspectors of pharmacy and poison Board for safe
disposal.
ENDS:
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