Multi-agency effort needed to deal with counterfeit drugs

The Kenya Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (KAPI) has called for a concerted multi-agency effort to curb the proliferation of counterfeit drugs in Kenya.

The association has also reiterated its petition to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya to enhance market surveillance, technologies to track shipments and identify counterfeit products at ports of entry to ensure all products are regulated.

In a statement released by KAPI chairperson Dr. Anastasia Nyalita to mark the World Anti Counterfeit Day, the sector association that brings together leading local and multinational pharmaceutical firms noted that prevalence of counterfeit pharmaceutical products will have a negative effect on universal healthcare delivery.

“Such products pose a grave danger to the national healthcare goals as they increase delivery costs,” said Dr. Nyalita.

A market study commissioned by KAPI last year confirmed the existence of counterfeit and unregulated medicines in the country.

The study, conducted by pharmaceutical applied researchers from the University of Nairobi School of Pharmacy, had confirmed an 8% prevalence of unregulated or grey medicinal brands.

According to Dr. Nyalita, unregulated or grey medicines are those that have entered the market through irregular channels and have not undergone the necessary regulatory scrutiny and market conformity by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

As part of KAPI’s consumer awareness programmes, the Association has advised local consumers to avoid buying products that do not carry English or Swahili labels and instructions.

Buyers can also verify each official retail outlet by SMS, using the Pharmacy Registration Code shown on the Pharmacy & Poisons Board sticker on the premises, or ask for it if no sticker is visible.