Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to take stringent action against chemists selling counterfeit drugs, emphasizing the health risks to Kenyans posed by these illicit commodities.
Addressing the need for increased efforts in eliminating fake pharmaceuticals, he highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting the regulatory body in intensifying its crackdown.
Anastacia Nyalita, chairwoman of the Kenya Association of Pharmaceutical Industry, estimated in February 2023 that fake or counterfeit medicines constitute approximately 20.0 to 25.0 percent of the total commercial pharmaceutical market in Kenya. Nyalita explained that unregulated or ‘gray’ medicines are those that have entered the market through irregular channels and have not undergone the necessary regulatory scrutiny and market conformity by the country’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
Speaking at the opening of the Questa Care Pharmaceuticals manufacturing company in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, Gachagua urged foreign investors to consider Kenya as a prime destination for establishing manufacturing businesses, citing the government’s efforts to streamline licensing procedures to attract investment.
During the event, Gachagua stressed the importance of prioritizing public health and safety by ensuring chemists refrain from selling uncertified and criminalized drugs. “The Pharmacy and Poisons Board must work hard. We are finding a situation where drugs that should not be sold over the counter are in chemists and pharmacies. Drugs whose sale is criminal in nature find their way to the counter. We call for a very serious operation to root out such drugs,” Gachagua stated.
He emphasized a collaborative approach between security agencies and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board in conducting a rigorous crackdown to eradicate these illegal substances from the market. Underlining the significance of a multi-agency approach, Gachagua urged the board to bolster surveillance measures, both physical and online, to protect citizens from the perils of unlawful pharmaceutical practices.
Acknowledging the critical issue of unemployment among Kenya’s youth, the Deputy President commended the establishment of the new Questa Care Pharmaceuticals manufacturing facility, expected to provide employment opportunities for at least 500 individuals. He highlighted the pivotal role of local manufacturing enterprises in alleviating the country’s unemployment crisis, stressing the importance of encouraging both local and international investors to set up manufacturing ventures in Kenya. Gachagua emphasized the Ruto Administration’s commitment to promoting manufacturing as a deliberate strategy to address unemployment, assuring that the government has streamlined licensing procedures to facilitate the establishment of factories.
Gachagua invited foreign investors to explore the favorable investment climate in Kenya, emphasizing the nation’s status as a regional economic hub and an anchor state open to foreign investment. Highlighting Kenya’s stable political environment, robust financial systems, and conducive business environment, he encouraged international investors to consider investing in manufacturing ventures in the country. Moreover, he lauded the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) for its role in supporting local manufacturing by procuring 62 percent of drugs from domestic manufacturers, envisioning a future where all drugs would be locally produced.
