The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) shut down 86 pharmacies in Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma and Busia counties over illegal operations.
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According to the board's officer, Dominic Kariuki, some of the operators were arrested and arraigned after poor quality drugs worth millions of shillings from the outlets were seized.
PPB inspectors also confiscated drugs supplied by the government that were being sold to the public at private pharmacies.
Kariuki stated: "Government drugs were found in three private pharmacies in Kakamega County. Those operators were arrested and the chemists closed."
Arraigned in court
Operators of Amanda, Murhanda and Lugosh chemists in Kakamega town were arraigned, according to Mr Kariuki.
Those found operating illegal pharmacies were charged with possession of part 1 poisons and carrying on the business of a pharmacist while not registered and at premises that are not registered.
The board's official said they were concerned about the absence of superintendents at licensed pharmacies, which he said were left in the hands of unqualified people, putting Kenyans' lives in danger.
“We have summoned professionals who have been found engaging in the malpractices for disciplinary action by the board's disciplinary committee," Kariuki remarked.
Unique serial numbers
The PPB introduced the use of closure notices (banners) with unique serial numbers that are displayed on the doors of affected chemists.
"We have handed copies of the closure forms to local police to ensure the premises are not opened without permission of the board," Dr Kariuki stated.
"The notices act as a warning to members of the public to keep off such chemists," he also said, and advised to use of the safety codes displayed in registered chemists to verify their legality," he added.
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