Thirty-five people have been arrested by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) while twelve illegal chemists were closed down in the North Eastern region.
Confirming the arrest, Omar Ali Sheikh said many of the arrests were made in Mandera.
Ali said the thirty-five were found selling unauthorized drugs, as well as, medical devices illegally sourced from neighbouring country Somalia.
He noted that other pharmaceutical premises were also issued with closure notices for not meeting all the requirements.
“I urge pharmaceutical personnel to familiarize themselves with the new laws governing the industry to avoid penalties,” Ali said.
This comes after the PPB was alarmed by absentee superintendents who don’t enforce drug dispensing.
The board’s head of good distribution practices Julius Kiluai said the absence of the superintendents leaves licensed pharmacies under the care of unqualified persons.
“Superintendents absent from pharmaceutical outlets shall be investigated and prosecuted,” Kiluai said.
The PPB and the National Police Service are conducting a joint regulatory operation in the country.
They are targeting distribution outlets that includes illegal chemists, illegal medicine hawkers, clinics, herbal medicine stores and cosmetic shops stocking medicaments containing preparations misidentified as cosmetics.
Last month, at least 134 cartons of assorted health technologies and pharmaceuticals were seized in illegal premises. Fifty-eight persons operating them have been arrested and charged.
Charges include operating a chemist in unlicensed premises; possession of Part I poisons while not being an authorised seller; and operating the business of a pharmacist without the presence of a registered pharmacist in the premises.