Through a statement, Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) President Dr Louis Machogu has accused Jumia Online traders of breaching sections of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board Act Chapter 244 which restricts the sale of medicines to a registered pharmacist.
He condemned the sale of Augmentin, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.
“Medicines are being sold by unlicensed individuals (at bus stops and online), this should stop,” Dr Louis Machogu said in a statement.
He also complained about the ease with which restricted medicines are becoming accessible.
PSK indicated in the statement that the prescription-only medicine popularly known as Augmentin, known scientifically as Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid, was being advertised and sold over the internet.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board launched investigations into Jumia Kenya illegal sale of Prescription Only Medicine (POM) on the platform without license.
The board said the e-commerce giant has been engaging in advertisement, promotion and trade of health products and technologies (HPTs) including prescription only medicines contrary to the Pharmacy and Poisons Act which it says “poses a great risk to patient safety and promotes irrational use of HPTs”.
“Jumia Kenya has been instructed to immediately pull down all the illegal advertisements and investigations are underway to ensure appropriate regulatory action is taken against person and parties involved in this particular case,” said Dr. F.M Siyoi in a statement.
Siyoi further added that it is engaging regulatory agencies such as Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) for interventions and non-compliant HPT e-commerce domains.
Cap 244 of the Act prohibits anybody from advertising any drug or poison except with the written permission of the Board.
Any person who contravenes the requirement is liable to a fine not exceeding Sh20,000 or a jail term not exceeding one year.
However, Jumia Kenya, which is an online marketplace connecting buyers and sellers, has laid blame on vendors.
Nonetheless, the firm said it is working closely with them to ensure consumers are protected against the sale of unsafe, illegal and unlicensed products when they shop on the online platform.
“We take action when a seller contravenes the rules and regulations. Necessary action has been taken in this case, in collaboration with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to hold the seller accountable,” said Jumia Kenya in its response.
The board has further warned wholesalers and retailers against contravening rules governing sale of Prescription Only Medicine.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers have found convenience in purchasing goods and service online a factor that has led to rapid expansion of e-commerce platforms in Kenya.
CAPTION; Dr. Louis S. Machogu, PSK president delivering a speech during the long meeting with PSK branch, sector, committee chairmen at Gracia Gardens Hotel, Nairobi on 24th February, 2018.