Gov’t orders fresh vetting for pharmacies, agrovets in a month

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki says the decision has been taken following continued abuse of prescription drugs which NACADA says is one of the biggest emerging threats. 

Pharmacies will therefore be required to submit their licenses to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), while agro-vets will submit theirs to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

CS Kindiki said that action will be taken against all found operating without a license, with enforcement by the country's security apparatus in the counties.

“Failure to which they shall be deemed unlicensed for closure. All unlicensed and noncompliant drug manufacturers, agro vets and chemists are to be shut down with immediate effect,” said Kindiki.

“The list of currently approved and licensed establishments has been shared with county security teams for reference.”

Over the last three years, the NACADA has been conducting surveys in the country over drug abuse trends. A 2022 report showed that over 60,000 Kenyans were abusing prescription drugs, with more female than male users. 

In a survey of the Coast in 2023, NACADA pointed out emerging drugs including four prescription medicines. They are drugs primarily used as antidepressants to treat anxiety, sleeping problems or depression. 

The other major category was anaesthetic medicines used on humans and animals either for sedation or as pain relievers.

CS Kindiki now says that pharmacists and veterinary doctors dispensing prescription drugs without prescriptions will be deregistered.

“All licensed chemists or pharmacies and agro vets when issuing prescriptions drugs shall mandatorily issue a certification of the issuing chemist or agro vets, name and license number of the issuing officer for purposes of tracing,” he added.

Abusers of prescription drugs have been reported to mix them with other primary drugs such as heroin, on claims that it’s no longer potent enough. 

According to NACADA, users were buying prescription drugs from chemists who are known to the operators.

NACADA also found that some of the prescription drugs were being sourced from government hospitals or mental health facilities where a network of street peddlers were involved in the diversion of prescription drugs.