62 illegal chemists closed, 43 people arrested in Nairobi in Pharmacy and Poisons crackdown

Operations by the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board have led to the arrest of 43 for operating illegal chemists in Nairobi.

PPB has been conducting a series of crackdowns in each county over the past few months in a bid to safeguard the public against counterfeit drugs.

A brief statement from the board also outlined that 62 chemists have been closed down for not having the necessary permits.

62 illegal chemists closed, 43 people arrested in Nairobi in Pharmacy and Poisons crackdown Pulse Live Kenya

" PPB Kenya has closed 62 illegal outlets in Nairobi county and handed over the list to the regional commissioner Mr Wilson Njega for enforcement," the brief read in part.

71 chemists shut down in Mombasa

In Mombasa, the Board closed down 71 chemists after a crackdown that lasted three weeks.

In Western Kenya 86 outlets were closed down with the main non-compliance issue being the sale of drugs that are meant to be sold by government health facilities.

"All those who were found selling Government drugs were arrested and have already been charged. Copies of the pharmacies’ closure forms have been handed to the local police commanders. They will remain closed until they meet the laid down regulations," Officer in charge of Surveillance Dr Dominic Kariuki told reporters at the time.

Those who accepted the charges against them were slapped with fines ranging between Sh20,000 and Sh90,000.